For the most part, French cities are much better preserved and looked after than British cities, because the bourgeoisie, the people who run the cities, have always lived centrally, which has only recently begun to happen in big cities in England. Traditionally in England, people who had any money would live out in the suburbs. Now, increasingly, people with money live in the cities, but this has changed only in the last 20 or so years.
Jonathan MeadesI don't think things necessarily should have a meaning. If stuff has a meaning then why do [writing] about it? If you're trying to say, 'Tall buildings are great' why not just leave it at that: "Tall buildings are great."
Jonathan MeadesYou always have to find something to say about the subject and in seven cases out of ten there is nothing to say.
Jonathan MeadesI genuinely find it difficult to think of places that I'd never want to see again. It might be because part of my career has been concerned with writing about topography.
Jonathan Meades