Johannesburg Transition - Architecture & Society from 1950 is a follow-on book to his previous work, Johannesburg Style - Architecture & Society 1880s - 1960, and so completes over 125 years of the history of Johannesburg's architecture. The book closely examines the built environment of southern Africa's economic hub from pre-1950 to the present, neatly combining facts and figures with highly-informed commentary and an abundance of carefully selected photographs and illustrations.

Chipkin brings his intellect to bear on the usually impenetrable workings of architects, planners and engineers to unravel a complex tale in a style that is lively and engrossing. While there are other books about Johannesburg, this is the only one to comprehensively detail the forces and influences (politics, economics, international architectural trends and styles, the environment, etc.) that shaped this city and its buildings from an historical perspective. It is a vital reference / research tool for students, historians, architects, designers and town planners.