Big building, small city: Redefining the notion of scale (original) (raw)
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Territorios en formación, 2015
Urban studies are experiencing a renewed discourse on the production of the urban space. The "urban question" is addressed again, as the existing discourse is incapable of fully explaining the production of actual sociospatial landscapes. The theory of "planetary urbanization" or "extended urbanization" proposes a groundbreaking paradigm for the study of the urban. Focusing on urban processes rather than on settlements, this theory postulates that the urbanization is the result of two moments: concentration and extension. In turn, this theory contends the necessity of approaching such processes from a historical-geographical perspective. Applying this approach to the city of Beirut, this article serves as a testing ground for some of the hypothesis of these new theoretical endeavors. At the same time, this analysis connects with previous conceptualizations of territorial change: the rescaling and worldsystem theories. Indeed, the implication of scale in the production of the moments of urbanization, extension and concentration, is brought up. Also, the urbanization process understood as an ongoing historical process inevitably touches on aspects of the world system theory, particularly relevant to frame the urbanization theory within the specific period, 1830−1920, of the case study.
2022
The Conference provided a setting for discussing theoretical and methodological transdisciplinarity in urban morphology. The topic of the conference, Cities as Assemblages, encouraged deliberation on the processes of urban emergence and transformation from a relational perspective, as well as consideration, in research methodologies and design approaches, to the relationship between physical and human elements. The aim of conference was to address the challenges currently faced by urban morphology: bridging the gaps between different approaches, developing cross-disciplinary studies, and integrating research and practice. The themes of the conference covered theory (emergence, relationality, social sciences, and the scope of limits of urban theories), methods (embedding and combining different approaches), urban design (urban morphology and building typology) and contextual topics (conflict, divided cities and port cities) relating to the location of the Conference. Approximately 220 presentations were delivered in 45 parallel sessions. This present volume includes 49 contributions from all themes, focusing on specific subthemes: emergence, relational theories, the social sciences and urban morphology (theory), embedding different approaches into the study of urban morphology (methods) and Mediterranean port cities in a global context (focus). The papers included in this volume were, in most cases, presented within the same sessions. Under the theme of theory, the papers discuss the notion and mechanisms of emergence in the formation of socio-spatial relations, debate the idea of cities as assemblages for the description of emergence and also discuss the contradictory and multi-faceted nature of urban design. The papers within the theme of methods present a variety of mapping techniques focusing on quantitative approaches, applications of concepts and narrative tools through critical analysis, and diachronic analyses of urban development. There is a strong focus on three-dimensional form, the relationship between built and open spaces, and public space more generally. The socio-cultural dimension of form in the relations between building typology and urban space features prominently as a key to analysing the impact of design and everyday life on the public realm. In the urban design theme, public space and its use remain core elements of analysis, but with a stronger focus on the impact of the design of recent development projects, in particular transport projects, including road systems, public transport and walkability. New and subur-Preface ban neighbourhoods, gated and houseboat communities, industrial and waterfront areas were also subjects of research Finally, in the focus theme, a small number of papers cover comparative analyses of port cities and their evolution in the Mediterranean and in Asia. This volume offers a variety of the different papers that were presented at the Conference, providing a permanent record of the fruitful knowledge exchange that took place during the four days of the event, touching upon many important aspects of urban morphology and producing insights, which I believe will be invaluable for the future development of the field. I would like to thank all participants for their contributions to the Conference programme and to these Proceedings. My special thanks go to the keynote speakers:
The Scale of Urban: World Urbanisation and Architectural Reactions
The chapter represents a theoretical overview of the historical and contemporary debate on urbanisation issues. It is presented in the form of a concise interpretation of the basic concepts related to urbanisation, for the purposes of the understanding and reinterpretation of (urban) sustainability. The chapter points out the critical urban theory thesis that urbanisation is a social process generated and materialised through dynamic spatial transformation that is becoming planetary. The contemporary urbanisation fundamentally changed the cities from centric formations to the new polymorphic urban tissue deeply extended in the once rural and natural environment. Therefore, the chapter is based on the presumption that the issue of urban sustainability cannot be comprehended without an understanding of emergent interconnections and dependencies between different spatial scales, urban agglomerations, and close and distant operational territories. The management of urbanisation as a large-scale process and configuration is understood as the basic drive for the creation of sustainable urban places and territories. Furthermore, the chapter follows the contemporary methodological platforms and conceptual tools for the research of the local urban conditions in the context of planetary urbanisation. It focuses on the selected emerging urbanism approaches to researching and designing the new urban tissue, as a disciplinary path to overcoming the utopian comprehensive model of planning and designing the cities.
2015
Urban studies are experiencing a renewed discourse on the production of the urban space. The “urban question” is addressed again, as the existing discourse is incapable of fully explaining the production of actual sociospatial landscapes. The theory of “planetary urbanization” or “extended urbanization” proposes a groundbreaking paradigm for the study of the urban. Focusing on urban processes rather than on settlements, this theory postulates that the urbanization is the result of two moments: concentration and extension. In turn, this theory contends the necessity of approaching such processes from a historical-geographical perspective. Applying this approach to the city of Beirut, this article serves as a testing ground for some of the hypothesis of these new theoretical endeavors. At the same time, this analysis connects with previous conceptualizations of territorial change: the rescaling and worldsystem theories. Indeed, the implication of scale in the production of the moments...
2017
Cities can be referred as the quintessential paradigm of complexity. So far the hidden hand in the precinct that defines the city is the morphology, which is the outcome of the individual actions and collective response that builds together to build a whole. In 20 th century, when the general systems theory pierced the dictionary of science, cities were regarded as being an exceptional model of interactive systems within the basic characteristics that demonstrated the narration for the field: The ‘whole is greater than the sum of parts’. Since then the theory of complexity has progressed to incorporate systems and temporal dynamics. Cities has again started to demonstrate basic themes such as global organization from local events, emerging morphology from mere spatial resolution, Individual decision making suggesting random change, Progress through evolution, variety , pressure and competition. Thus sketching these ideas with respect to city results in three basic themes, which incl...
2009
, 117 pages The buildings of a city such as shopping malls, plazas, world trade centers, hotels or even residential complexes are not only alternative urban building typologies but they represent power in social, economical, political and even religious terms. In this sense buildings should not be seen as specific design and research areas limited with single building scale but rather should be seen as urban statements in city scale. However the eclectic existence of these buildings in urban fabric causes a series of unexpected transformations in a larger scale. The impact of a building in urban scale takes a very important place in the modern city-their architectural expression is not limited with their individual scale but rather it becomes an integrated part of the whole city which is open to transform function, infrastructure, architectural meaning, image ability and other social problems. This building behaves as a cultural and social symbol and it is inevitable to consider the design process as an urban experience. However many of the contemporary examples are designed as individual architectural buildings… The integration of Turkey, but especially the city of Ankara to the global economic network providing new cultural identities presents a transformation of the city which natures could be seen "in terms of rent theory" and makes v this city "a place of competition for profit." To better present these transformations one of the most important regions Eskişehir Highway will be analyzed for the power it reflects as the buildings are set on the two sides of the highway as a new type of urban architecture proceeding spontaneously and reconfiguring boundaries based on the limits of the capital. The limits economic power decides about social, economic and physical order of places shapes the city as an urban product to be sold.
Prospects for Research in Architecture and Urbanism. Ashraf M. Salama, 2019
Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, 2019
Abstract Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a brief review of the latest developments of Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research while introducing ephemeral observations on the papers published in Vol. 13 No. 1, March 2019. Design/methodology/approach Through a classification of topical contents and an identification of the procedures employed in the studies published in this edition, a reflective narrative on emerging concepts and themes is developed to acknowledge and briefly outline these studies. Findings The discussion conveys the multiplicity and diversity in architectural and urban research where seven themes are identified from 13 papers contributed by researchers from academic institutions in eight countries. Themes include spheres of inquiry; autism and the spatial environment; communication dynamics and professional practice; assemblage aesthetic and place attachment; housing and urbanity in Istanbul; placemaking and sustainability in the Gulf; and from the Doric order to State mosques. Originality/value Establishing key characteristics of various types of research and the originality and values involved would enable engaged and enhanced contributions in architectural and urban research. The identification of themes stimulates the re-thinking of responsive concepts and issues of concerns while invigorating future research endeavors.
Urbanism, Architecture and Modern Urban Development
European Journal of Sustainable Development, 2018
Developing countries are subject to quick cultural changes as they evolve. Modern cities have been constructed by the interactions between different types of subjects. The identities of the actors that have been altered by communication in different forms of systems need new structures and infrastructures. The infrastructures should be in alignment with this evolving situation. The substructure is one of the objective reasons for the communication of citizens as, in this regard, individuals (citizens) will experience more emotional enjoyment from the freedom based on the number of facilities available to them. As with both objective and subjective discourses, the city will become more prominent in the modernized architectural structures if it is within the subjective scope of the citizens" free choices. To survive in this vibrant era, architecture has no choice but to be combined with the technologies derived from the modern science. Therefore, if technology or architecture is one of the options available to the citizens of metropolitan cities, it will create small communities and places due to its discursive nature and its locality and amusing quality where the citizen and city are placed in a dynamic situation as an actor and substructure. Our approach in this article has been scientific research and the impact of technology-architecture on modern urban development is studied based on the views of George Simmel and the city"s dependence on the architecture which has derived from this notion.
2022
Preface ing of the urban form, opening up new avenues for the study of urban morphology and for the development of multidisciplinary methodologies. These reflections have been particularly relevant to the conference venue, the city of Nicosia, the last divided capital of Europe, with a prolonged history of tensions, internal displacements, migration and tourists' flows, economic fluctuations and rapid, often abrupt urban transformations, serving as an ideal laboratory to explore, unravel, and question urban form development in uncertain and contested contexts. They have also been particularly relevant to the focus themes which related to the location of the conference; group formations and negotiations within cities influencing ethnoreligious tensions, political movements, social segregation and urban conflicts more widely, as well as the particular status of port cities often in the past more linked to other port cities than their hinterland and, still to the present day, the first point of arrival of migrant groups and the city-location of choice for tourism. 48 parallel sessions of around 250 inspiring presentations addressed the conference's specific themes: Theory 1: emergence, relational theories, the social sciences and urban morphology. Papers presented under this theme were about how cities come into being and transform. Subthemes included all elements of relational theories that relate to urban morphology: scales, historical processes, material and human components, capabilities and connections between components. Theory 2: the scope and limits of urban theories. This theme was about the critique of application of relational theories to urban studies, fragmentation of methods, the attention to the particular and the need to bring specific research findings back to more general theories. Subthemes included the main theorisations of the city: cities as organisms, cities as artefacts, cities as machines, cities as systems of flows and networks, and how to take steps forward to build a more mature theory of the city. Methods 1: embedding different approaches into the study of urban morphology. This theme was about the need to further develop multidisciplinarity within urban morphology, layering different perspectives applied to fringe belt analysis: spatial, social, economic and planning, and filling in gaps when practically applying methodologies. Methods 2: combining Conzenian, typological and space syntax approaches. This theme was key to understanding the development of urban morphology and the potentialities of combined studies. Papers presented under this theme described the latest research done in combining different approaches and suggested how further developments can be made. Focus 1: urban conflict and divided cities and Focus 2: Mediterranean port cities in a global context. Both focus themes were strongly related to the location of the conference and both were extremely topical and relevant to contexts of increasing migrations flows within the Mediterranean. Subthemes of Focus 1 included issues of segregation and cohabitation, issues of public space use, comparative analysis of divided cities and a special subtheme dedicated to design and architecture on regeneration projects. Focus 2 was broadly about the Mediterranean as a sea of unity and division. Subthemes of Focus 2 included comparative analyses of Mediterranean cities and comparative analysis of port cities and a further special subtheme dedicated to design and architecture on waterfront developments. The present volume includes 44 contributions from the themes: The scope and limits of urban theories, Combining Conzenian, typological and space syntax approaches, Urban Design: Urban morphology, building typology and design and Urban conflict and divided cities. The papers within the theme of Theory discuss a number of urban theories in the light of urban development and regeneration, explore urban evolution mechanisms as well as urban and building typologies in various cities of the world. Theory: the Scope and Limits of Urban Theories Cities as Assemblages, volume 1
On Bigness and the Problem of Urban Form
FOOTPRINT, 2018
urban actors. To the most extreme visions within this strand, the city can no longer be thought of in terms either of form or type. All that remains for the planner is to attempt a strategic functional structure to be delivered to the unpredictability of the market and life. Koolhaas's theories carry this reasoning to the extreme. For him, the contemporary city is the generic city, the unplanned city emerging in areas of urban expansion that have managed their liberation from the historic core, opposing permanent mutations, utopian fragments, irrational phenomena, and 'fractal and endless repetition', to history, identity and character. 3 Koolhaas's provocative vision is of the skyscraper