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- 1. CITY TRANS FORM ATION an analysis of the concept of urban transformation
- 2. Various definitions have been given to what a city is, in terms of what it’s perceived to be. Definitions from, Manuel Castells perceived the city as a dual city (social-spatial reality). David Harvey saw the city to be an ever changing system in which spatial form and social process interact at the same time. Recently cities have been perceived to be a system of subsystems which are interdependent on each other and run simultaneously as one system (Dixon &, Eames, 2012). Although, the definitions aren’t the same, we gather, that the city has aspects, dynamic, complex and these features somehow interacts simultaneously. Inam (2012) suggests that it is a severe thorough fundamental change in the structure of a place. Thorns (2002), looks into the physical form of city transformation. He suggests that urban transformation means changes over time and thus an acknowledgement of the history of a particular city’s development. Condoning this, Ian Bentley (1999), sees physical form of urban changes as a process through which new types of development close to the production culture, generate in relation to an inherited, connected, stable and long-lasting morphological elements. Elbendak (Elbendak, 2008) looks at urban transformation from another point of view. He suggests urban transformation can be the transformation of the local culture of people in a particular city, to a global culture (way of life). From this few, theories, we see two aspects, which is the physical form (material) and social form (immaterial) aspect of urban transformation. Does this imply that these two aspects of the city interact and transform in time, leading to urban transformation. What is a City? What is CIty Transformation? First, how do we know when urban transformation has occurred? Thorns (Thorns,2002)suggeststhatthepresenturbanformseentodayisasresult of succeeding generations of settlers influencing both the physical structure and the political, economic and social institutions. In terms of spatial transformation, Inam (2012) suggests one common realization of urban transformation is observed through major “shifts in patterns” of the material city (physical form). Looking into a case study of the evolution of Public space in Barcelona from 1982 to 1992 (Marshall, 2004) which marks the urban revolution period, the development of Public spaces was used as an instrument to control densities in certain areas of Barcelona; causing an influence on mobility patterns (Inam, 2012). It was also used as a tool for urban intervention in re-establishing the identity of places such as Rambla del Raval which was prestigious for prostitution, drugs and various anti-social activities (Marshall, 2004). We will proceed directly with two goals: to make spaceofqualityandatthesametimecreateafocus that can generate spontaneous transformations.... (Bohigas, 1985) “ ” medieval Oxford, (Mumford, L., 1961) Anthenian form , (Mumford, L., 1961) Grids patterns (Bentley, 1999) New Open Space, Gracia, 1980s (Marshall, 2004)
- 3. Another understanding of urban transformation is in terms of rapid and large scale population growth as currently seen in African cities. An example is Lagos city (Metz, 1991) which presently is still undergoing a rapid transformation in terms of progressive extension of the city. Rapid urbanization due to the colonial period in the 19th century and modern industrialization 20th century followed by Information age in the early 2000s; reflects social and economic transformation (Cultural Institute, 2014). Of recent, due to overpopulation and economic competition for resources in Lagos, the government has collaborated with urban planners to extend the metropolitan area. The Eko Atlantic marks a major transformation in Lagos city (CNBC, 2013). Most importantly, solving overpopulation issues such as; Green house gas emissions through the ideology of dispersion of population over time and space development. In the design field, is much attention really given to the ideas and intention of the project than the impact this would cause on the city and the people (Inam, 2012)? Although, urban transformation like this, upgrades the city into a global scale, what can possibly suffer is the local culture of the ancestral traditions of the people. Would the ancestral traditional values go extinct or survive generation after generations? Only time would tell. So far, urban transformation has been discussed in terms of spatial change. The theories above have focused on the material aspect of the city, but can urban transformation occur in the material city and not in the immaterial aspect of the city? Or does it occur together as a synchronized system? Can we say one aspect pushes the other to transform? Inam (2012) suggests that, another understanding of urban transformation can be measured through the quality of life indicators such as public health, water, sanitation (especially in developing countries), education, employment and infrastructures. But still, some rural places have quality water, much trees, the point is what is regarded as quality of life is different for people in the rural area. Furthermore, an even deeper quality judgment of city transformation can be achieved through what the urbanist Kevin Lynch refers to as “performance dimensions”. Such as vitality, sense, access, control, efficiency, and justice (Lynch, 1981). The urban area together with people deals with a variety of material or immaterial, fixed or moving, enduring or short-lived (Guggenheim and Söderström, 2010). Buildings and urban form are generally thought-out as material, fixed and enduring entities. “However, over emphasis on change primarily in the material city can lead to a relatively superficial understanding of what urban transformation actually is” (Inam, 2012). Urban transformation has influenced urban life and to a degree, urban life influences urban transformation (Montgomery, 2013); In terms of climate change, city growth, health, birth and death rates. Other interrelated factors entangled with urban transformation influence the perception of cities in the modern world today; in terms of personal relations between individuals and communities, and their relationship with nature, culture and heritage; immaterial entities.
- 4. Where do we go from here? Are we restricting ourselves to definitions of each wonderful classification of Post-modern city for sustainability as adapted from Daffara (2004) (Dixon &Eames, 2012)? (The table from handbook) Due to resulting change, we look to one of these ideal cities as a vision for the future of our cities; the Smart city, the sustainable city, the Techno-city, the green city and the resilient city. Should we think out of the box? Can we go back to the drawing board and fix the past in order to deal with restrictions that come along in each ideal city? Can we re-invent cities and transform cities to whatever we want? This leave an open and unwritten book filled with possibilities, yet but also negative influence. A city without a defined vision may keep diverting its goals and never have an ideal vision as to what it is desired to be. Envisioning transformation without barriers, Inam (2012) proposes three fundamental shifts in the concept of urban transformation. This paper adopts two; I. Beyond material object :City in a flux II. Beyond intentions: Consequences of design Beyond material object: City in a flux The city undergoes dimensional shifts of all kind; hence the city should be more appropriately conceptualized as a “flux”, constantly changing. As time goes by, our conceptual understanding of and interaction with the city is also changing. Urbanists require a conceptual grasp of flux in order to shift design to be flexible and adaptive to change. Rotmans (2006) suggest that “there is structural uncertainty and intrinsic unpredictability in the dynamics of cities” (Dixon & Eames, 2012). Therefore, control over the city is impossible. In a city that’s constantly changing, how can urbanists develop flexible and adaptive environments? Or the current solution would be to develop a certain design on demand. Beyond intentions: Consequences of design What kind of consequences are there on both material and immaterial entities in the city? is there an ideal city algorithm? Is there an ideal city design? As places differ in culture and perception of place and space, so does designs differ (Picture of landscape with houses, mountain, sea etc) as well as consequences. Inam (2012) argues that in the design field much attention given to the design itself than the impact this would cause on the people. But isn’t designs developed with the objective to solve an issue? Although positive outcomes have resulted, negative ones have also resulted. Hence, more attention needs to be given to the degree to which the design of the city is adaptable or flexible. In conclusion, there is a probability that thinking outside the box is the key to unlocking possible strategies in developing a flexible and adaptive city to urban transformation. Therefore, allowing more to be discovered in urban transformation in preparation for the future. The unknown can be a solution. Eco-City Gaian City Smart-City Techno-City (Dixon &Eames, 2012) New-York, New years eve Intention of design versus impact
- 5. References 1. Anonymous.2011.[online] Available at: http://tundeakingbade.wordpress.com/2011/11/07/eko-atlantic-city-rumbles-in-the-sea/ [Accessed:13 Apr 2014]. 2. Bentley, I. 1999. Urban transformations. London: Routledge pp 71. 3. Bohigas, O.1985. Reconstruccio de Barcelona, Barcelona: Edicions 62. 4. Castells, M. (1989) The informational city: Information Technology, Economic Restructuring and the urban-regional process. Blackwell. 5.CNBCAfrica.2013.EkoAtlanticCityHalfWayToComplete.[online]Availableat:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GknxEm5zXzY [Accessed: 13 Apr 2014]. 6. Cultural Institute. 2014. n.d. Colonial Footprints: Lagos, Then and Now - Google Cultural Institute. [online] Available at: http:// www.google.com/culturalinstitute/exhibit/colonial-footprints-lagos-then-and-now/ARivCwds?hl=en-GB [Accessed: 13 Apr 2014]. 7.Dale, O., 1999. Urban planning in Singapore. 1st ed. Oxford [England]: Oxford University Press 8. Dixon.T, Eames.M. 2012. Visioning Retrofit Futures; Retrofit 2050 Working Paper- pp 4-5. 9. Elbendak, O., 2008. Urban Transformation and Social Change in a Libyan City. Ph.D. , National University of Ireland, Maynooth. 10. Guggenheim, M. and Söderström, O. 2010. Re-shaping cities. London: Routledge. 11. Inam. A.2012. Urban Transformation: How Do We Know. Politecnico Di Milano [Online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=TTx15ux-Kdg 12. Lynch, K. 1981. A theory of good city form. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press. 13. Marshall, T. 2004. Transforming Barcelona. London: Routledge. 14. Metz, H. C. 1991. Nigeria. Washington, D.C.: Federal Research Division. 15. Montgomery, C. 2013. Happy city. The science and story of urban wellbeing. London: Allen Lane. 16. Mumford, L., 1961. The city in history. 1st ed. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World. 17. Thorns, D. C. 2002. The transformation of cities. Houndmills, Balsingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave. pp.2-7 Image Referencing https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=city+skyline+cartoon&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=gmRJU8ig- Fc-u7AblnoHgDA&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=600#q=singapore+skyline&tbm=isch&facrc=_&img- dii=_&imgrc=2tcQ8Z7khGjRqM%253A%3BDNG_PhDI6j1IGM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fupload.wikimedia.org%252Fwiki- pedia%252Fcommons%252F3%252F37%252FSingapore_Skyline_Panorama.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fen.wikipedia. org%252Fwiki%252FWikipedia%253AFeatured_picture_candidates%252FSingapore_Skyline_Panorama%3B2500%3B1010 https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=city+skyline+cartoon&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=gmRJU8igFc-u7AblnoHgDA&ved=- 0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=600#q=kenya+skyline&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=cwhM2RHEtVeaQM%253A%3BapPgt- 7mmqQSbhM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fupload.wikimedia.org%252Fwikipedia%252Fcommons%252F2%252F21%252FGiraffe_-_Sky- line_-_Nairobi_-_Park.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fen.wikipedia.org%252Fwiki%252FNairobi%3B768%3B576 https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=city+skyline+cartoon&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=gmRJU8igFc-u7AblnoHgDA&ved=- 0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=600#q=lagos+skyline&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=-CM_Iuv4b05CtM%253A%3BgcUAWk- kg_6M2HM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.silkinvest.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2013%252F01%252FLagos-skyline. png%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.silkinvest.com%252F2013%252F01%252Fnigeria-highlights-frontier-market-outlook-january-2013. html%252Flagos-skyline%3B745%3B299 https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=city+skyline+cartoon&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=gmRJU8igFc-u7AblnoHgDA&ved=- 0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=600#q=india+skyline&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=eeI7QwkxWgAQkM%3A%3BdPpvngyelk- WAvM%3BeeI7QwkxWgAQkM%3A&imgrc=eeI7QwkxWgAQkM%253A%3B3BrRg0YQi6PBKM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.con- cierge.com%252Fimages%252Fdestinations%252Fdestinationguide%252Fasia%252Findia%252Frajasthan%252Frajasthan_002p. jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.concierge.com%252Ftravelguide%252Findia%252Fphotos%252Fphotoview%252F62465%253Fsort %253D-createDate%3B380%3B300 https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=city+skyline+cartoon&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=gmRJU8igFc-u7AblnoHgDA&ved=- 0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=600#q=china+skyline&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=TJa-0owznzPgRM%3A%3BwekAt1AuHVSN- JM%3BTJa-0owznzPgRM%3A&imgrc=TJa-0owznzPgRM%253A%3BV675qxuzaJvcLM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fblogs-images.forbes. com%252Fkenrapoza%252Ffiles%252F2012%252F07%252Fshanghai_skyline_g.jpeg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.forbes.com%252F- sites%252Fkenrapoza%252F2012%252F07%252F18%252Fchina-housing-bubble-re-inflates%252F%3B510%3B398 https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=city+skyline+cartoon&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=gmRJU8igFc-u7AblnoHg- DA&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=600#q=barcelona%20birds%20eye%20view&revid=1551362733&tbm=is- ch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=8qlYJ177joZ78M%253A%3BCnjHFfDIsAmMrM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.blogcdn.