The City of Dreaming Spires is perhaps the most famous university city in the whole world and the oldest too, at least in the English speaking World. The city is characterized by its harmonious architecture of its university buildings, hidden passages, tranquil squares and fantastic museums. The University buildings seem to be in competition with each other ; trying to outdo the others in terms of grandness and beauty, which got me thinking that the city needs a 21st century icon, a new building, preferably designed by Zaha or Gehry.
Oxford has a population of just under 165,000, but feels much larger. It was first occupied in Saxon times, and was initially known as Oxenaforda. The University of Oxford is first mentioned in 12th century records. As the University took shape, friction between the hundreds of students living where and how they pleased led to a decree that all undergraduates would have to reside in approved halls. During the English Civil War, Oxford housed the court of Charles I in 1642, after the king was expelled from London, although there was strong support in the town for the Parliamentarian cause. It later housed the court of Charles II during the Great Plague of London in 1665–66. Although reluctant to do so, he was forced to evacuate when the plague got too close. By the early 20th century, Oxford was experiencing rapid industrial and population growth, with the printing and publishing industries becoming well established by the 1920s. Also during that decade, the economy and society of Oxford underwent a huge transformation as William Morris established the Morris Motor Company to mass produce cars in Cowley, on the south-eastern edge of the city.
Oxford is one of the most diverse small cities in Britain.
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1. Balliol College, founded in 1263 by Scottish academics. Traditionally, the undergraduates are amongst the most politically active in the university, and the college's alumni include three former prime ministers.
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