Paving Our Ways: A History of the World's Roads and Pavements
Textbook Civil Engineering Urban Planning Transportation Engineering History of Technology Infrastructure Studies Sustainability Engineering
“Paving Our Ways: A History of the World’s Roads and Pavements” is the first truly global textbook to trace how humble footpaths evolved into today’s high-performance highways. Written for civil-engineering students and professionals by Kieran Sharp, John Metcalf and Maxwell Lay, this 2021 Taylor & Francis hardcover blends technical depth with a narrative that stretches from ancient Mesopotamian stamped-earth tracks to smart, sensor-laden asphalt. Each chapter pairs historical context—Roman military roads, Incan suspension bridges, 19th-century macadam—with the engineering innovations (pavement materials, drainage, traffic loading, sustainability) that still shape design codes. The result is a single 300-page resource that doubles as a classroom text and a desk reference for practicing engineers who need to understand why modern specifications look the way they do.
What makes this copy especially attractive is its like-new interior: pages are crisp, unmarked and tightly bound, ideal for annotation or library preservation. The durable hardcover (234 × 156 mm, 739 g) stands up to site-office use, while the light exterior scuffing and minor edge bumps keep the price reasonable without compromising readability. Owners gain access to over 150 photos, maps and data tables that illustrate pavement cross-sections, load-transfer mechanics and life-cycle cost models—visuals that are often lost in e-book formats. Together, the physical quality and graphic content make this edition a practical working guide as well as a conversation piece for any civil-engineering bookshelf.
Beyond the technical story, the authors explore the social impact of road networks—how pavement choices influenced trade routes, urban sprawl, carbon footprints and even geopolitics. Sustainability chapters compare recycled asphalt, warm-mix technologies and permeable pavements, giving readers ready talking points for modern design charrettes and P.E. exam essays. For collectors, educators or infrastructure enthusiasts, this well-preserved hardcover offers an engaging, search-engine-friendly gateway to understanding the hidden engineering beneath every journey.
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