This document discusses the problem of vacant properties in many cities due to economic crises. It notes that significant amounts of office, commercial, and residential spaces lie abandoned in cities across Europe and North America. Vacant properties are harmful as they deteriorate and degrade surrounding areas. Various responses have emerged to address vacancy, including temporary reuse programs, community mapping initiatives to inventory vacant spaces, and new approaches in urban planning focused on flexibility and small-scale interventions. Mapping vacancy is a first step, while long-term solutions require policies and designs tailored to converting individual vacant buildings to productive new uses.
This document provides an overview of green architecture in the Czech Republic. It discusses how respect for the natural environment has long been important in architecture. However, modernization led to nature being subordinated to construction. After World War II, environmental degradation from modernization processes raised awareness. Since the 1970s, romantic and technical approaches to the environment have gradually converged. New objectives like sustainable development have been incorporated into projects. In the Czech Republic, ecological issues in architecture grew prominent in 2008. Various strategies have emerged, ranging from energy efficiency to use of local materials. Debates continue around standardizing terminology and balancing globalization with local specificity in green architecture.
Ivan Jarina built his family's house in Marianka, near Bratislava to blend harmoniously with the local landscape and ecosystem. The architect observed the surroundings to seek inspiration from the local "genius loci" rather than modifying the context. Traditional and recycled materials were used like wood, bricks and stone to construct the house in a sustainable way. At the center of the house is an old apple tree, intended to divide the home into sections for adults and children while also connecting the family to nature. The goal was to create an eco-friendly home respecting the natural environment.
This document discusses 10 major problems facing the natural environment: 1) climate change, 2) pollution, 3) ozone layer depletion, 4) depletion of natural resources, 5) water quality and scarcity issues, 6) deforestation, 7) soil degradation, 8) waste, 9) loss of biodiversity, and 10) population growth. It notes debate around whether climate change is caused by human activity or natural variations, with the IPCC attributing most warming to human greenhouse gas emissions and others arguing solar activity is a primary driver. The document examines how these issues threaten the sustainability of the planet's life support systems.
1) The document discusses the transformation of cities and urban spaces as a result of globalization and increased mobility. While cities are decentralizing and sprawling, certain areas become more uniform and centralized around functions like tourism, commerce, and transportation.
2) As cities decentralize, historical centers take on museum-like functions for tourists and wealthy residents while industrial and cultural activities move outward. However, new forms of recentralization also occur as global communication technologies paradoxically contribute to both increased mobility and new forms of isolation.
3) Finding a balance between the sense of place and freedom of movement in urban spaces will require rethinking concepts of the city and housing. It also demands efforts to reverse growing inequality and reconnect people
This document summarizes Lucy Sargisson's discussion of contemporary environmental political theory moving towards a more democratic relationship between humanity and nature. It discusses thinkers like John Dryzek and Andrew Dobson who argue for expanding democratic participation to include nature. The document analyzes two examples - Councils of All Beings workshops that aim to "give voice" to nature, and Marge Piercy's novel Woman on the Edge of Time which depicts a participatory democracy where environmental advocates represent nature's interests. While these approaches raise issues, the document suggests they provide a space to imagine developing a more inclusive political community from an ecological perspective.
This document discusses the concept of sustainable transportation and its adoption in Poland. It makes the following key points:
1. Modernist urban planning prioritized the automobile, leading to issues like traffic, pollution, and sprawl. Jane Jacobs advocated tempering the role of cars in cities.
2. The concept of sustainable transportation aims to prioritize efficient, cost-effective transit while considering environmental and social impacts. This challenged the car-centric modernist vision.
3. While sustainable transportation policies took hold in Western Europe in the 1970s and later in the US, it is still difficult to implement in Poland due to a fascination with cars and neoliberal ideals that emphasize individual transportation. Cultural and structural factors
1) The Urbino Academy of Fine Arts offers professional training in stage design and allows students to experiment with theatre spaces and imagine the world behind the stage.
2) A play called "End.less" was inspired by Monteverdi's opera "The Ballo of the Ungrateful Ladies" and Baudrillard's essay "Impossible Exchange," which discuss the impossible exchange between reality and virtual dimensions.
3) The play tells the story of a man named Enrico Rimasto who faces bureaucracy after his death, questioning whether it is truly the end or just another postponed apocalypse, representing the endless wait faced by unemployed youth.
1. The document discusses how our current era is one of radical change due to new technologies like computers, similar to how the emergence of writing radically transformed humanity thousands of years ago.
2. It explores different perspectives on defining our current times, from information age to anthropocene to posthumanism. However, we do not fully understand the nature of information or computational processes.
3. The document also analyzes how the von Neumann architecture that underlies modern computers is similar to structures of power and control seen in ancient systems like Egyptian hieroglyphs, the military, and schools. It suggests these architectures framed human roles and relationships.
This document provides an overview of green architecture in the Czech Republic. It discusses how respect for the natural environment has long been important in architecture. However, modernization led to nature being subordinated to construction. After World War II, environmental degradation from modernization processes raised awareness. Since the 1970s, romantic and technical approaches to the environment have gradually converged. New objectives like sustainable development have been incorporated into projects. In the Czech Republic, ecological issues in architecture grew prominent in 2008. Various strategies have emerged, ranging from energy efficiency to use of local materials. Debates continue around standardizing terminology and balancing globalization with local specificity in green architecture.
Ivan Jarina built his family's house in Marianka, near Bratislava to blend harmoniously with the local landscape and ecosystem. The architect observed the surroundings to seek inspiration from the local "genius loci" rather than modifying the context. Traditional and recycled materials were used like wood, bricks and stone to construct the house in a sustainable way. At the center of the house is an old apple tree, intended to divide the home into sections for adults and children while also connecting the family to nature. The goal was to create an eco-friendly home respecting the natural environment.
This document discusses 10 major problems facing the natural environment: 1) climate change, 2) pollution, 3) ozone layer depletion, 4) depletion of natural resources, 5) water quality and scarcity issues, 6) deforestation, 7) soil degradation, 8) waste, 9) loss of biodiversity, and 10) population growth. It notes debate around whether climate change is caused by human activity or natural variations, with the IPCC attributing most warming to human greenhouse gas emissions and others arguing solar activity is a primary driver. The document examines how these issues threaten the sustainability of the planet's life support systems.
1) The document discusses the transformation of cities and urban spaces as a result of globalization and increased mobility. While cities are decentralizing and sprawling, certain areas become more uniform and centralized around functions like tourism, commerce, and transportation.
2) As cities decentralize, historical centers take on museum-like functions for tourists and wealthy residents while industrial and cultural activities move outward. However, new forms of recentralization also occur as global communication technologies paradoxically contribute to both increased mobility and new forms of isolation.
3) Finding a balance between the sense of place and freedom of movement in urban spaces will require rethinking concepts of the city and housing. It also demands efforts to reverse growing inequality and reconnect people
This document summarizes Lucy Sargisson's discussion of contemporary environmental political theory moving towards a more democratic relationship between humanity and nature. It discusses thinkers like John Dryzek and Andrew Dobson who argue for expanding democratic participation to include nature. The document analyzes two examples - Councils of All Beings workshops that aim to "give voice" to nature, and Marge Piercy's novel Woman on the Edge of Time which depicts a participatory democracy where environmental advocates represent nature's interests. While these approaches raise issues, the document suggests they provide a space to imagine developing a more inclusive political community from an ecological perspective.
This document discusses the concept of sustainable transportation and its adoption in Poland. It makes the following key points:
1. Modernist urban planning prioritized the automobile, leading to issues like traffic, pollution, and sprawl. Jane Jacobs advocated tempering the role of cars in cities.
2. The concept of sustainable transportation aims to prioritize efficient, cost-effective transit while considering environmental and social impacts. This challenged the car-centric modernist vision.
3. While sustainable transportation policies took hold in Western Europe in the 1970s and later in the US, it is still difficult to implement in Poland due to a fascination with cars and neoliberal ideals that emphasize individual transportation. Cultural and structural factors
1) The Urbino Academy of Fine Arts offers professional training in stage design and allows students to experiment with theatre spaces and imagine the world behind the stage.
2) A play called "End.less" was inspired by Monteverdi's opera "The Ballo of the Ungrateful Ladies" and Baudrillard's essay "Impossible Exchange," which discuss the impossible exchange between reality and virtual dimensions.
3) The play tells the story of a man named Enrico Rimasto who faces bureaucracy after his death, questioning whether it is truly the end or just another postponed apocalypse, representing the endless wait faced by unemployed youth.
1. The document discusses how our current era is one of radical change due to new technologies like computers, similar to how the emergence of writing radically transformed humanity thousands of years ago.
2. It explores different perspectives on defining our current times, from information age to anthropocene to posthumanism. However, we do not fully understand the nature of information or computational processes.
3. The document also analyzes how the von Neumann architecture that underlies modern computers is similar to structures of power and control seen in ancient systems like Egyptian hieroglyphs, the military, and schools. It suggests these architectures framed human roles and relationships.
re:Kreators is a European platform for city makers and public developers. Key partners are Holzmarkt Berlin, KÉK Budapest, ZOHO Rotterdam, Make a Point Bucharest, Shuffle London, Darwin Bordeaux, PB34 Copenhagen and Pakhuis de Zwijger Amsterdam. This brochure describes the new type of civic lead urban development of these re:Kreators.
1. We believe in a way of living in the city that is interesting, affordable and just. We create thoughtful places with care. We create values: money, social, welfare and artistic.
2. We generate diverse ownership - mentally, emotionally and legally; diverse groups feel at home in and feel ownership over our places.
3. We Create places that lift everyone’s spirits, and drive people beyond what they would normally come across. Our places are open, inclusive and brilliant.
4. We Look for true change. We are not interested in just pop-up, get people’s hopes up and leave. We use the existing energy, build on existing quality, structures and re:kreate by smooth transition.
5. We take a step beyond bottom-up or top-down: we build partnerships between these worlds.
https://citiesintransition.eu/transition/rekreators
Rotterdam Tarwewijk, a resilient neighborhood? A case studyBart Litjens
A case study exploring citizen participation and citizen engagement in Tarwewijk, a so called 'priority neighborhood' located in the city of Rotterdam (the Netherlands).
Combinations of difficult issues present themselves in this neighborhood like high unemployment, impoverishment, poverty, school dropout, integration and crime. Despite sustained attention and significant investments, the local and national administration have not been able to gain sufficient control of these intractable issues in ‘priority neighborhoods’. How about personal responsibility and active citizen participation? Can Tarwewijk become an example of a resilient neighborhood? This case study provides lessons and insights.
This case study is part of New Synthesis Project. An international partnership of institutions and individuals who are dedicated to advancing the study and practices of public administration.
Creativity & the City - Conference Proceedings - English language Editionmichael waibel
FOREWORD
The promotion of creativity is a key asset for economic upgrading and for providing new jobs all over the world. Vietnam is no exception to this. Creativity needs a vibrant, urban environment and spaces where cultural diversity, networking and mutual inspiration can be experienced – possibly at cheap rent. Former factories, warehouses or abandoned apartment houses provide spatial resources in the cities and offer huge chances when converted into creative hubs: A complex of galleries, artist studios, craft shops, design studios as well as bars, restaurants, and cafés may form an inspirational and attractive neighborhood, both for the local citizens and for tourists. Such creative spaces may also serve as a visual spatial symbol of city marketing, which contribute to build an image of a modern and cosmopolitan metropolis against the backdrop of increasing global city competition.
The core objective of this conference “Creativity and the City” is to gain a better understanding of the potential creative spaces can contribute to the further urban development of Vietnam and what is needed to promote this. Role models of such creative hubs will be presented from other countries in Southeast Asia and from western countries such as the UK and Germany. It will be further discussed what can be learned from these case studies.
“Creativity and the City” continues the series of conferences on urban development the Goethe-Institut Hanoi has organized in the last years. Co-hosts are the Ministry for Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam, British Council and UNESCO. Again, the scientific organization is in the hands of Dr. Michael Waibel, a senior researcher and project leader from Hamburg University, to whom I am very grateful for the excellent collaboration.
Dr. Almuth Meyer-Zollitsch
A B S T R A C T
Economy can be considered as the transversal component of the human activities over territories. This fact can be observed from a diachronic perspective: the way how architectural typologies arose through history. But the relations between Economy and Architecture are not only established by the small scales but the larger ones. Cities and territories evolved from compact forms till spread ones in a parallel way to the arousal of the shopping areas. Urban sprawl could never be understood without these new typologies. The paper is based on the key note speech was held in the International seminar “Economy today” last September 2017 in Andrićgrad (Bosnia and Herzegovina). It is divided in two blocks: the first one relates to a general review of the historical reflections of this relation with a special mention to the consequences of an economic crisis either in the landscape or urban scales. The second part, partially included in the conclusions, reflects on the necessary changes in the university curriculums for a better visualization of this relation. It would imply new attitudes able to explain most of the architectural processes as the formal result of a larger interaction.
CONTEMPORARY URBAN AFFAIRS (2018) 2(2), 1-11. Doi: 10.25034/ijcua.2018.3663
www.ijcua.com
References
Adedeji, J. A. & Arayela, O. (2017). Urban Renewal Strategies and Economic Growth in Ondo State, Nigeria: A Case Study. Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs (JCUA), 2(1), 76-83. Doi: 10.25034/ijcua.2018.3662
Dobbs R., Smit S., Remes J., Manyika J., Roxburgh Ch., Restrepo A. (2011).Urban world: Mapping the economic power of cities
Iranfar, M. (2018). The Presence of Modernist Architecture in Government’s educational Buildings at Lefkosa. Contemporary Urban Affairs (JCUA), 2(1), 13-21. Doi: 10.25034/ijcua.2018.3653
Luke, T. (2003). Global Cities vs. “global cities:" Rethinking Contemporary Urbanism as Public Ecology, in Studies in Political Economy 70, Spring 2003
Molotch H. (1976). The City as a Growth Machine: Toward a Political Economy of Place” American Journal of Sociology, Vol. 82, No. 2 (Sep., 1976), pp. 309-332
Mumford, E. (2000). The CIAM Discourse on Urbanism, 1928–1960. Cambridge: MIT Press
Smith, N. (2002). New Globalism, New Urbanism :”Gentrification As A Global Urban Strategy ” in Antipode, Volume 34, Issue 3, July 2002 Pages 427–450
The document discusses definitions of cities and how they differ from rural settlements. It states that while definitions of cities vary, some common aspects that distinguish cities are their large population size, concentration of tall buildings close together, and economies focused on secondary and tertiary sectors rather than primary sectors like agriculture. Cities are also characterized by their various functions such as residential, commercial, industrial, tourist, political/administrative, and cultural activities. The morphology and structure of cities is also covered, discussing different urban plan patterns and how cities are organized with a center, surrounding peri-urban areas, and outer outskirts.
This document discusses definitions and characteristics of rural and urban settlements. It defines villages and hamlets as having a lower number of inhabitants and more agricultural economic activities, compared to towns and cities which have larger populations, taller buildings close together, and more secondary and services sector economic activities. It also outlines some key functions of cities like residential, commercial, industrial, and political/administrative. The document discusses different types of urban plans like grid, linear, radial, and irregular patterns. It describes the internal structure of cities including the city center, peri-urban areas, and outskirts. Finally, it notes some advantages and disadvantages of urban living.
This document provides a summary of key messages from a report on integrated sustainable urban development strategies in European cities. It discusses six thematic reports produced by URBACT workstreams that examined challenges facing cities like shrinking populations, lack of jobs, youth issues, segregation, mobility and energy efficiency. The document emphasizes that cities need to focus strategies on the areas they can most influence and complete bridges between policies and actions. It also stresses the importance of realigning resources to meet real needs, tackling barriers to change, investing in people, and creating "innovation brokers" to support integrated solutions for cities of tomorrow.
Delft Lectures on Architectural Design - Cultural Studies Exam ReaderNicholas Socrates
This document provides an introduction to a lecture series on architectural design at Delft University of Technology. It discusses key topics that will be addressed, including modernity and its issues, constructions of identity in a global context, the autonomy of architecture, and relationships between everyday life and public space. The lectures will explore contemporary positions in architecture through discussions of historical models, theoretical arguments, and recent projects. They will be delivered by full professors and researchers at Delft and will cover issues such as mass society, democracy, capitalism, and their impacts on architectural design.
Launch conference presentation of Dr. Pietro Elisei, coordinator of the YPLAN project, on why co-designing public space is essential for the present and future wellbeing of the citizens - young and old alike.
The document discusses different types of human settlements including rural and urban. It describes the characteristics of rural settlements such as villages which have fewer inhabitants, lower density, and economies based on primary sectors. It then describes the characteristics of urban settlements or cities, which have larger populations, taller buildings close together, and economies based on secondary and service sectors. The document goes on to list several main functions of cities, including residential, commercial, industrial, tourist, political/administrative, and cultural/religious centers. It also discusses different types of urban plans such as grid, linear, radial, and irregular configurations. The urban structure of cities is described as consisting of a city center, peri-urban areas, and outskirts.
The document discusses different types of human settlements including rural and urban. It describes the characteristics of rural settlements such as villages which have fewer inhabitants, lower density, and economies based on primary sectors. It then describes the characteristics of urban settlements or cities, which have larger populations, taller buildings close together, and economies based on secondary and service sectors. The document goes on to list some of the main functions of cities, such as residential, commercial, industrial, tourist, political and administrative, and cultural and religious functions. It also discusses different types of urban plans including grid, linear, radial, and irregular plans. Finally, it briefly outlines some advantages and disadvantages of urban life.
The document discusses key concepts related to cities and urban settlements. It defines what constitutes a city based on factors like population size, economic activities, and building density. Cities are characterized as having large populations, tall buildings close together, and economies focused on secondary and tertiary sectors. The document also outlines different types of urban plans like grid, linear, and radial; and describes the typical structures of city centers, peri-urban areas, and outskirts. Finally, it notes some advantages and disadvantages of urban living.
The document summarizes discussions from the German Real Estate Congress in Berlin about challenges facing the real estate industry in Europe. Key trends discussed included smaller, aging populations with different needs, a need for multifunctional living/work spaces, and a shift toward urbanization. Attendees recognized the need for new models of planning and decision-making that integrate different stakeholders. Rome introduced a new "quality protocol" to establish criteria for urban planning projects that incorporates input from citizens, businesses, government, and banks to develop sustainable, long-term solutions tailored to local conditions.
This document summarizes a project by the Bauhaus Dessau Foundation to develop a model housing project in the Jacarecino favela in Rio de Janeiro between 2000-2004. The project aimed to improve living conditions for residents through urban planning interventions. It began with art installations and workshops to foster communication between residents and the city. The core of the project was a "urban cell" model block proposing solutions for city development and architecture that could be applied throughout the favela. This included reorganizing plots, removing building cores to create courtyards, and raising ground floor housing to improve access. The goals were to stimulate social and economic development while respecting existing community structures.
This document discusses trends in inner city development in Europe over the 20th and 21st centuries. It outlines three periods: 1) Modernism after WWII focused on rebuilding cities based on functional separation of uses. 2) Public investment in inner cities from the 1960s-1980s focused on improving housing conditions for low-income residents. 3) Public-private partnerships from the 1990s saw private sector investment return to inner cities through projects integrating development, housing, and preservation of historic areas. The document examines examples from each period and considers lessons that can be drawn to help guide the current, uncertain period of inner city development.
This document discusses the principles of New Urbanism and its goal of reintroducing urban centers and qualities to city planning. It begins by describing how post-World War II development led to isolated, car-centric communities that lacked the mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods characteristic of traditional urban planning. New Urbanism began in the 1970s-80s to address this by creating neighborhoods and urban centers with human-scale design. The document then outlines some of New Urbanism's key design principles, such as creating walkable communities with a mix of uses and civic spaces embedded within neighborhoods.
The document summarizes research on public spaces in four European cities: Lviv, Manchester, St. Petersburg, and Sofia. The researchers observed how city squares, as traditional public spaces, have changed due to commercialization, privatization, and regulation. While squares have been renovated, they have also limited public access and activities to prioritize consumption. However, the research found that squares still serve some public functions and are sites of protest. The researchers question whether squares should still be considered public spaces and discuss rethinking the concept of public space in modern cities.
The document discusses key concepts related to cities and urban settlements. It defines what constitutes a city versus rural settlements, noting factors like population size, building density, and economic activities. Main functions of cities are also outlined, including residential, commercial, industrial, and administrative uses. Different urban plan types are described like grid, linear and radial patterns. The internal structure of cities is also examined, distinguishing city centers, peri-urban areas, and outskirts.
Józef Raczek (1922-1990) – malarz, rzeźbiarz, kolekcjoner,
autor sztuk teatralnych i bajek.
„Orędownik Sądecczyzny” swój dom, zwany „Oficyną Raczków”,
zamienił w niezwykłą galerię grafik, obrazów i rzeźb. Przez wiele lat było to miejsce spotkań i twórczej pracy artystów. W pokoju „Pod muzami” Raczek podejmował gości winem własnego wyrobu z owoców głogu i dzikiej róży.
Sztuka była dla niego niczym pamiętnik – uwiecznił starosądecki rynek, klasztor klarysek, kapliczki, św. Kingę. Malowidła znajdujące się w sieni przybliżają nam kulturę i historię Starego Sącza, a na podwórku wciąż jeszcze rzeczywistość miesza się z bajką.
re:Kreators is a European platform for city makers and public developers. Key partners are Holzmarkt Berlin, KÉK Budapest, ZOHO Rotterdam, Make a Point Bucharest, Shuffle London, Darwin Bordeaux, PB34 Copenhagen and Pakhuis de Zwijger Amsterdam. This brochure describes the new type of civic lead urban development of these re:Kreators.
1. We believe in a way of living in the city that is interesting, affordable and just. We create thoughtful places with care. We create values: money, social, welfare and artistic.
2. We generate diverse ownership - mentally, emotionally and legally; diverse groups feel at home in and feel ownership over our places.
3. We Create places that lift everyone’s spirits, and drive people beyond what they would normally come across. Our places are open, inclusive and brilliant.
4. We Look for true change. We are not interested in just pop-up, get people’s hopes up and leave. We use the existing energy, build on existing quality, structures and re:kreate by smooth transition.
5. We take a step beyond bottom-up or top-down: we build partnerships between these worlds.
https://citiesintransition.eu/transition/rekreators
Rotterdam Tarwewijk, a resilient neighborhood? A case studyBart Litjens
A case study exploring citizen participation and citizen engagement in Tarwewijk, a so called 'priority neighborhood' located in the city of Rotterdam (the Netherlands).
Combinations of difficult issues present themselves in this neighborhood like high unemployment, impoverishment, poverty, school dropout, integration and crime. Despite sustained attention and significant investments, the local and national administration have not been able to gain sufficient control of these intractable issues in ‘priority neighborhoods’. How about personal responsibility and active citizen participation? Can Tarwewijk become an example of a resilient neighborhood? This case study provides lessons and insights.
This case study is part of New Synthesis Project. An international partnership of institutions and individuals who are dedicated to advancing the study and practices of public administration.
Creativity & the City - Conference Proceedings - English language Editionmichael waibel
FOREWORD
The promotion of creativity is a key asset for economic upgrading and for providing new jobs all over the world. Vietnam is no exception to this. Creativity needs a vibrant, urban environment and spaces where cultural diversity, networking and mutual inspiration can be experienced – possibly at cheap rent. Former factories, warehouses or abandoned apartment houses provide spatial resources in the cities and offer huge chances when converted into creative hubs: A complex of galleries, artist studios, craft shops, design studios as well as bars, restaurants, and cafés may form an inspirational and attractive neighborhood, both for the local citizens and for tourists. Such creative spaces may also serve as a visual spatial symbol of city marketing, which contribute to build an image of a modern and cosmopolitan metropolis against the backdrop of increasing global city competition.
The core objective of this conference “Creativity and the City” is to gain a better understanding of the potential creative spaces can contribute to the further urban development of Vietnam and what is needed to promote this. Role models of such creative hubs will be presented from other countries in Southeast Asia and from western countries such as the UK and Germany. It will be further discussed what can be learned from these case studies.
“Creativity and the City” continues the series of conferences on urban development the Goethe-Institut Hanoi has organized in the last years. Co-hosts are the Ministry for Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam, British Council and UNESCO. Again, the scientific organization is in the hands of Dr. Michael Waibel, a senior researcher and project leader from Hamburg University, to whom I am very grateful for the excellent collaboration.
Dr. Almuth Meyer-Zollitsch
A B S T R A C T
Economy can be considered as the transversal component of the human activities over territories. This fact can be observed from a diachronic perspective: the way how architectural typologies arose through history. But the relations between Economy and Architecture are not only established by the small scales but the larger ones. Cities and territories evolved from compact forms till spread ones in a parallel way to the arousal of the shopping areas. Urban sprawl could never be understood without these new typologies. The paper is based on the key note speech was held in the International seminar “Economy today” last September 2017 in Andrićgrad (Bosnia and Herzegovina). It is divided in two blocks: the first one relates to a general review of the historical reflections of this relation with a special mention to the consequences of an economic crisis either in the landscape or urban scales. The second part, partially included in the conclusions, reflects on the necessary changes in the university curriculums for a better visualization of this relation. It would imply new attitudes able to explain most of the architectural processes as the formal result of a larger interaction.
CONTEMPORARY URBAN AFFAIRS (2018) 2(2), 1-11. Doi: 10.25034/ijcua.2018.3663
www.ijcua.com
References
Adedeji, J. A. & Arayela, O. (2017). Urban Renewal Strategies and Economic Growth in Ondo State, Nigeria: A Case Study. Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs (JCUA), 2(1), 76-83. Doi: 10.25034/ijcua.2018.3662
Dobbs R., Smit S., Remes J., Manyika J., Roxburgh Ch., Restrepo A. (2011).Urban world: Mapping the economic power of cities
Iranfar, M. (2018). The Presence of Modernist Architecture in Government’s educational Buildings at Lefkosa. Contemporary Urban Affairs (JCUA), 2(1), 13-21. Doi: 10.25034/ijcua.2018.3653
Luke, T. (2003). Global Cities vs. “global cities:" Rethinking Contemporary Urbanism as Public Ecology, in Studies in Political Economy 70, Spring 2003
Molotch H. (1976). The City as a Growth Machine: Toward a Political Economy of Place” American Journal of Sociology, Vol. 82, No. 2 (Sep., 1976), pp. 309-332
Mumford, E. (2000). The CIAM Discourse on Urbanism, 1928–1960. Cambridge: MIT Press
Smith, N. (2002). New Globalism, New Urbanism :”Gentrification As A Global Urban Strategy ” in Antipode, Volume 34, Issue 3, July 2002 Pages 427–450
The document discusses definitions of cities and how they differ from rural settlements. It states that while definitions of cities vary, some common aspects that distinguish cities are their large population size, concentration of tall buildings close together, and economies focused on secondary and tertiary sectors rather than primary sectors like agriculture. Cities are also characterized by their various functions such as residential, commercial, industrial, tourist, political/administrative, and cultural activities. The morphology and structure of cities is also covered, discussing different urban plan patterns and how cities are organized with a center, surrounding peri-urban areas, and outer outskirts.
This document discusses definitions and characteristics of rural and urban settlements. It defines villages and hamlets as having a lower number of inhabitants and more agricultural economic activities, compared to towns and cities which have larger populations, taller buildings close together, and more secondary and services sector economic activities. It also outlines some key functions of cities like residential, commercial, industrial, and political/administrative. The document discusses different types of urban plans like grid, linear, radial, and irregular patterns. It describes the internal structure of cities including the city center, peri-urban areas, and outskirts. Finally, it notes some advantages and disadvantages of urban living.
This document provides a summary of key messages from a report on integrated sustainable urban development strategies in European cities. It discusses six thematic reports produced by URBACT workstreams that examined challenges facing cities like shrinking populations, lack of jobs, youth issues, segregation, mobility and energy efficiency. The document emphasizes that cities need to focus strategies on the areas they can most influence and complete bridges between policies and actions. It also stresses the importance of realigning resources to meet real needs, tackling barriers to change, investing in people, and creating "innovation brokers" to support integrated solutions for cities of tomorrow.
Delft Lectures on Architectural Design - Cultural Studies Exam ReaderNicholas Socrates
This document provides an introduction to a lecture series on architectural design at Delft University of Technology. It discusses key topics that will be addressed, including modernity and its issues, constructions of identity in a global context, the autonomy of architecture, and relationships between everyday life and public space. The lectures will explore contemporary positions in architecture through discussions of historical models, theoretical arguments, and recent projects. They will be delivered by full professors and researchers at Delft and will cover issues such as mass society, democracy, capitalism, and their impacts on architectural design.
Launch conference presentation of Dr. Pietro Elisei, coordinator of the YPLAN project, on why co-designing public space is essential for the present and future wellbeing of the citizens - young and old alike.
The document discusses different types of human settlements including rural and urban. It describes the characteristics of rural settlements such as villages which have fewer inhabitants, lower density, and economies based on primary sectors. It then describes the characteristics of urban settlements or cities, which have larger populations, taller buildings close together, and economies based on secondary and service sectors. The document goes on to list several main functions of cities, including residential, commercial, industrial, tourist, political/administrative, and cultural/religious centers. It also discusses different types of urban plans such as grid, linear, radial, and irregular configurations. The urban structure of cities is described as consisting of a city center, peri-urban areas, and outskirts.
The document discusses different types of human settlements including rural and urban. It describes the characteristics of rural settlements such as villages which have fewer inhabitants, lower density, and economies based on primary sectors. It then describes the characteristics of urban settlements or cities, which have larger populations, taller buildings close together, and economies based on secondary and service sectors. The document goes on to list some of the main functions of cities, such as residential, commercial, industrial, tourist, political and administrative, and cultural and religious functions. It also discusses different types of urban plans including grid, linear, radial, and irregular plans. Finally, it briefly outlines some advantages and disadvantages of urban life.
The document discusses key concepts related to cities and urban settlements. It defines what constitutes a city based on factors like population size, economic activities, and building density. Cities are characterized as having large populations, tall buildings close together, and economies focused on secondary and tertiary sectors. The document also outlines different types of urban plans like grid, linear, and radial; and describes the typical structures of city centers, peri-urban areas, and outskirts. Finally, it notes some advantages and disadvantages of urban living.
The document summarizes discussions from the German Real Estate Congress in Berlin about challenges facing the real estate industry in Europe. Key trends discussed included smaller, aging populations with different needs, a need for multifunctional living/work spaces, and a shift toward urbanization. Attendees recognized the need for new models of planning and decision-making that integrate different stakeholders. Rome introduced a new "quality protocol" to establish criteria for urban planning projects that incorporates input from citizens, businesses, government, and banks to develop sustainable, long-term solutions tailored to local conditions.
This document summarizes a project by the Bauhaus Dessau Foundation to develop a model housing project in the Jacarecino favela in Rio de Janeiro between 2000-2004. The project aimed to improve living conditions for residents through urban planning interventions. It began with art installations and workshops to foster communication between residents and the city. The core of the project was a "urban cell" model block proposing solutions for city development and architecture that could be applied throughout the favela. This included reorganizing plots, removing building cores to create courtyards, and raising ground floor housing to improve access. The goals were to stimulate social and economic development while respecting existing community structures.
This document discusses trends in inner city development in Europe over the 20th and 21st centuries. It outlines three periods: 1) Modernism after WWII focused on rebuilding cities based on functional separation of uses. 2) Public investment in inner cities from the 1960s-1980s focused on improving housing conditions for low-income residents. 3) Public-private partnerships from the 1990s saw private sector investment return to inner cities through projects integrating development, housing, and preservation of historic areas. The document examines examples from each period and considers lessons that can be drawn to help guide the current, uncertain period of inner city development.
This document discusses the principles of New Urbanism and its goal of reintroducing urban centers and qualities to city planning. It begins by describing how post-World War II development led to isolated, car-centric communities that lacked the mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods characteristic of traditional urban planning. New Urbanism began in the 1970s-80s to address this by creating neighborhoods and urban centers with human-scale design. The document then outlines some of New Urbanism's key design principles, such as creating walkable communities with a mix of uses and civic spaces embedded within neighborhoods.
The document summarizes research on public spaces in four European cities: Lviv, Manchester, St. Petersburg, and Sofia. The researchers observed how city squares, as traditional public spaces, have changed due to commercialization, privatization, and regulation. While squares have been renovated, they have also limited public access and activities to prioritize consumption. However, the research found that squares still serve some public functions and are sites of protest. The researchers question whether squares should still be considered public spaces and discuss rethinking the concept of public space in modern cities.
The document discusses key concepts related to cities and urban settlements. It defines what constitutes a city versus rural settlements, noting factors like population size, building density, and economic activities. Main functions of cities are also outlined, including residential, commercial, industrial, and administrative uses. Different urban plan types are described like grid, linear and radial patterns. The internal structure of cities is also examined, distinguishing city centers, peri-urban areas, and outskirts.
Józef Raczek (1922-1990) – malarz, rzeźbiarz, kolekcjoner,
autor sztuk teatralnych i bajek.
„Orędownik Sądecczyzny” swój dom, zwany „Oficyną Raczków”,
zamienił w niezwykłą galerię grafik, obrazów i rzeźb. Przez wiele lat było to miejsce spotkań i twórczej pracy artystów. W pokoju „Pod muzami” Raczek podejmował gości winem własnego wyrobu z owoców głogu i dzikiej róży.
Sztuka była dla niego niczym pamiętnik – uwiecznił starosądecki rynek, klasztor klarysek, kapliczki, św. Kingę. Malowidła znajdujące się w sieni przybliżają nam kulturę i historię Starego Sącza, a na podwórku wciąż jeszcze rzeczywistość miesza się z bajką.
UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series, part 6DianaGray10
Welcome to UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series part 6. In this session, we will cover Test Automation with generative AI and Open AI.
UiPath Test Automation with generative AI and Open AI webinar offers an in-depth exploration of leveraging cutting-edge technologies for test automation within the UiPath platform. Attendees will delve into the integration of generative AI, a test automation solution, with Open AI advanced natural language processing capabilities.
Throughout the session, participants will discover how this synergy empowers testers to automate repetitive tasks, enhance testing accuracy, and expedite the software testing life cycle. Topics covered include the seamless integration process, practical use cases, and the benefits of harnessing AI-driven automation for UiPath testing initiatives. By attending this webinar, testers, and automation professionals can gain valuable insights into harnessing the power of AI to optimize their test automation workflows within the UiPath ecosystem, ultimately driving efficiency and quality in software development processes.
What will you get from this session?
1. Insights into integrating generative AI.
2. Understanding how this integration enhances test automation within the UiPath platform
3. Practical demonstrations
4. Exploration of real-world use cases illustrating the benefits of AI-driven test automation for UiPath
Topics covered:
What is generative AI
Test Automation with generative AI and Open AI.
UiPath integration with generative AI
Speaker:
Deepak Rai, Automation Practice Lead, Boundaryless Group and UiPath MVP
Programming Foundation Models with DSPy - Meetup SlidesZilliz
Prompting language models is hard, while programming language models is easy. In this talk, I will discuss the state-of-the-art framework DSPy for programming foundation models with its powerful optimizers and runtime constraint system.
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Further emphasis will be placed on the role of AI in developing XSLT, or schemas such as XSD and Schematron. We will address the techniques and strategies adopted to create prompts for generating code, explaining code, or refactoring the code, and the results achieved.
The discussion will extend to how AI can be used to transform XML content. In particular, the focus will be on the use of AI XPath extension functions in XSLT, Schematron, Schematron Quick Fixes, or for XML content refactoring.
The presentation aims to deliver a comprehensive overview of AI usage in XML development, providing attendees with the necessary knowledge to make informed decisions. Whether you’re at the early stages of adopting AI or considering integrating it in advanced XML development, this presentation will cover all levels of expertise.
By highlighting the potential advantages and challenges of integrating AI with XML development tools and languages, the presentation seeks to inspire thoughtful conversation around the future of XML development. We’ll not only delve into the technical aspects of AI-powered XML development but also discuss practical implications and possible future directions.
OpenID AuthZEN Interop Read Out - AuthorizationDavid Brossard
During Identiverse 2024 and EIC 2024, members of the OpenID AuthZEN WG got together and demoed their authorization endpoints conforming to the AuthZEN API
Fueling AI with Great Data with Airbyte WebinarZilliz
This talk will focus on how to collect data from a variety of sources, leveraging this data for RAG and other GenAI use cases, and finally charting your course to productionalization.
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Generating privacy-protected synthetic data using Secludy and MilvusZilliz
During this demo, the founders of Secludy will demonstrate how their system utilizes Milvus to store and manipulate embeddings for generating privacy-protected synthetic data. Their approach not only maintains the confidentiality of the original data but also enhances the utility and scalability of LLMs under privacy constraints. Attendees, including machine learning engineers, data scientists, and data managers, will witness first-hand how Secludy's integration with Milvus empowers organizations to harness the power of LLMs securely and efficiently.
AI 101: An Introduction to the Basics and Impact of Artificial IntelligenceIndexBug
Imagine a world where machines not only perform tasks but also learn, adapt, and make decisions. This is the promise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), a technology that's not just enhancing our lives but revolutionizing entire industries.
Project Management Semester Long Project - Acuityjpupo2018
Acuity is an innovative learning app designed to transform the way you engage with knowledge. Powered by AI technology, Acuity takes complex topics and distills them into concise, interactive summaries that are easy to read & understand. Whether you're exploring the depths of quantum mechanics or seeking insight into historical events, Acuity provides the key information you need without the burden of lengthy texts.
HCL Notes and Domino License Cost Reduction in the World of DLAUpanagenda
Webinar Recording: https://www.panagenda.com/webinars/hcl-notes-and-domino-license-cost-reduction-in-the-world-of-dlau/
The introduction of DLAU and the CCB & CCX licensing model caused quite a stir in the HCL community. As a Notes and Domino customer, you may have faced challenges with unexpected user counts and license costs. You probably have questions on how this new licensing approach works and how to benefit from it. Most importantly, you likely have budget constraints and want to save money where possible. Don’t worry, we can help with all of this!
We’ll show you how to fix common misconfigurations that cause higher-than-expected user counts, and how to identify accounts which you can deactivate to save money. There are also frequent patterns that can cause unnecessary cost, like using a person document instead of a mail-in for shared mailboxes. We’ll provide examples and solutions for those as well. And naturally we’ll explain the new licensing model.
Join HCL Ambassador Marc Thomas in this webinar with a special guest appearance from Franz Walder. It will give you the tools and know-how to stay on top of what is going on with Domino licensing. You will be able lower your cost through an optimized configuration and keep it low going forward.
These topics will be covered
- Reducing license cost by finding and fixing misconfigurations and superfluous accounts
- How do CCB and CCX licenses really work?
- Understanding the DLAU tool and how to best utilize it
- Tips for common problem areas, like team mailboxes, functional/test users, etc
- Practical examples and best practices to implement right away
TrustArc Webinar - 2024 Global Privacy SurveyTrustArc
How does your privacy program stack up against your peers? What challenges are privacy teams tackling and prioritizing in 2024?
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See how organizational priorities and strategic approaches to data security and privacy are evolving around the globe.
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Building Production Ready Search Pipelines with Spark and MilvusZilliz
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Rownowaga 1 uk-50-55
1. Levente Polyak
The Recycled City
The problem and opportunity of vacant properties
I
n most European and North American
cities, as well as in the overcrowded metropolises of the developing world, the
most unevenly distributed and scarcely
available resource is space. For a long time,
the real estate sector counted among the
leading industries in many Western cities,
accounting for a significant proportion of
their economic growth. As a result of the
economic growth of North American and
European economies in the first half of the
2000s and the corresponding explosion of
real-estate prices, renting living and working
spaces has accounted for an increasing proportion of individual and family incomes,
gradually turning urban living into an everyday struggle for private space.
However, in the past years, as a consequence
of the real estate bubble’s explosion and the
resulting financial meltdown, a significant
surplus in available square meters emerged
even in the most dynamic city economies. A
few years after the outbreak of the economic
crisis, only in the Netherlands, known for
the extreme density of its settlements and
the lack of space, there is over 6 million m2
of office space, that is, the 16% of the country’s total office capacity, laying abandoned.
This proportion is even higher in Amsterdam
where it reaches 18%, the equivalent of 1.3
million m2. According to a study by the Delft
University, for an approximate 400-800.000
of this stock it is virtually impossible to find
a tenant, because of their obsolete spatial
organization or disadvantageous location.
In the meanwhile, the fate of office buildings has reached many other building types,
namely school buildings, factories, workshop
buildings, commercial spaces and residential
buildings all across the country.
This phenomenon is by no means specific to
the Netherlands. If the urban landscape of
Amsterdam and Rotterdam is dominated by
unrentable office towers, Leipzig’s empty res-
idential buildings, Rome’s disaffected movie
theaters, or Spain’s deserted hotels join the
list of vacant properties in Europe. Not to
mention the countless halted construction
sites across Southern Europe: as an interviewee of the documentary film ‘Unfinished
Italy’ remarks, “the most important architectural style of post-war Italy is the Unfinished
Sicilian.”1 The long-time underused properties are revelatory about the economic crises,
but not only about that: they tell about the
rigid management concepts of the pre-crisis
era, unable to keep up with the changing
economic and social circumstances.
Vacant real estate is an important element of
all property systems; otherwise it would be
impossible to find flats, shops, offices to rent.
However, above a certain rate, vacancy is
Unfinished Italy (2011). Directed by Benoît Felici; see:
http://www.unfinished-italy.com
1
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2. Julien Beller (collective EXYZT), Le6b – former office
block transformed into a cultural centre
harmful to everyone. Owners pay charges after their unrented shops, apartments, offices
as well, unused properties are deteriorating,
losing their value throughout the process.
The commercial activity of a neighborhood
is gradually degraded with the presence
of vacant properties that don’t generate
any traffic and deprive neighboring shops
from entire groups of potential customers.
Boarded-up houses and shops with lowered
shutters worsen the public safety of an area,
where nobody sees what happens on the
street.
Urban actors across Europe respond to the
problem of empty properties in various ways:
the lack of financial resources leads govern-
Photo: l. polyak
Photo: l. polyÁk
of the Berlin Wall or cities of the American
“rust belt”, when they lost their industries
and a large proportion of their inhabitants.
In this sense, Detroit and Leipzig, with a
radical decline in their population, were
precursors of other cities in recognizing and
trying to manage their empty properties.
Seen from a contemporary perspective, the
“Shrinking Cities” project initiated in 2002
by the Galerie für Zeitgenössische Kunst in
Leipzig, the Bauhaus Stiftung in Dessau and
the Archplus journal is nothing less than a
preliminary study to get ready for a broader
crisis, an experiment to elaborate methods
and instruments to treat the problem of
vacant properties and urban areas spreading
out all over Europe and North America, a
proposal to introduce a new urban planning
vocabulary, the preparation of the terrain
for easing the economic crisis by the means
of urbanism.
As a consequence of the crisis, many formerly prosperous cities of Europe and North
America found themselves in the same
position as East German towns after the fall
Zones Urbaines Sensibles (ZUS), garden on the roof
of the former office block Schieblock in Rotterdam;
the ongoing process of adjusting the building to new
functions started in 2007.
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3. Photo: l. polyÁk
Abandoned office block in the centre of Budapest
Photo: l. polyÁk
knowledge and disperse citizen knowledge
are represented?
ments and municipalities to re-interpret
their existing infrastructure and to reactivate it by involving new functions and
new actors. Some states introduce extra tax
for properties vacant for more than 6 months
(Great-Britain), others establish legal means
to requisition long-time vacant residential
buildings owned by legal persons or institutions and to convert them into social housing
(France). Yet other states offer tax breaks for
owners who allow social or cultural activities
in their empty properties (Czech Republic,
Poland). Some municipalities create online
maps about the available vacant properties
(Amsterdam); or fabricate legal and financial
incentives to encourage the temporary use of
unrented shops (Vienna).
Evidently, systematic responses to vacancy
begin with enumeration. Besides the reluctance of real estate developers and municipalities alike to disclose their vacancy data
(fearing that this information may damage
their reputations and commercial perspectives), many authorities simply do not
dispose of relevant records and thus have no
means to inventory their vacant spaces. This
insufficiency or inaccessibility of government, municipal and corporate databases
makes it difficult to estimate the real proportions of vacant real estate and the potential
of their conversion and reuse, delaying the
elaboration of related development and management plans as well as policy proposals.
The insufficiency of municipal and state real
estate inventories also raises the question
of transparency: how to create a database
in which both centralized administrative
In many cases, the response to this question
is offered by community mapping initiatives,
that is, the crowdsourcing of real estate
data. Organizations in cities with as diverse
development contexts as New York, Paris,
Hamburg or Vienna initiated the collective
mapping of vacant properties. In New York,
Brian Lehrer, a radio host at WNYC invited
listeners to contribute to his “Halted Development” crowdmap. The community map,
indicating unfinished construction sites,
gave a significant help with its revelatory
power and arguments to the policy initiative as a result of which unfinished luxury
condos were converted into social housing.2
The New York-based homeless-rights organization “Picture the Homeless” used a similar
strategy when its members created a map
of empty properties in the city.3 In Paris,
the housing-rights organization Jeudi noir
2
3
http://goo.gl/maps/wy8xw
https://vacantnyc.crowdmap.com/
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4. Vacant houses in the centre of Budapest
launched an inventory of long-time empty
buildings;4 and this task is taken up by (im)
possible living in Italy,5 Leerstandsmelder
in the German-speaking countries,6 and by
Lakatlan in Budapest7 and Central Europe.8
Community mapping projects, by developing
new mapping techniques and by learning
new methods, tools and technologies from
each other, may contribute to a greater visibility of the vacancy problem: therefore a
participatory mapping campaign can help
shaping the policy concerning vacant units
of real estate as well as put pressure on
municipalities to formulate new policies in
this issue.
Photo: s. molnar
4
http://www.jeudi-noir.org/2012/10/29/vous-connaissez-des-batiments-vides-envoyez-nous-ladresse/
5
http://www.impossibleliving.com/explore/
6
http://www.leerstandsmelder.de/
7
http://lakatlan.crowdmap.com/
8
http://kek.org.hu/lakatlan/vce/
To consider the “in-between time” opening between the moment a property goes
vacant and its new use as an opportunity,
design professions were also helped by new
considerations of the limits of the shrinking
market and the discovery of areas ignored by
official planning mechanisms. This approach
gives preference to small-scale, often temporary, community-oriented interventions over
extensive construction projects, responding
to the needs of local communities instead of
to the requirements of speculation-driven
investments.
Each empty building needs a different intervention and program in order to achieve
its resurgence, and this task requires a new
strategy from the architectural profession,
as well. When the Dutch landscape architecture firm Rietveld Landscape presented
in the 2010 Venice Architecture Biennial
the exhibition “Vacant NL” in which the
agency inventoried about five thousand
empty public buildings across the Netherlands, they took position in support of a new
architectural paradigm. Instead of serving
Photo: l. polyÁk
Mapping is, however, only the first step in
strategies to reuse vacant properties. The
responses given to the problem of empty
properties appear at various levels of urban
planning. The inflexible planning system
characteristic of the modernist era has been
gradually replaced by “soft urbanism”, allowing for experimentation and for trying
possible functions at test-sites, before fixing
them by large investments. This open-ended
planning system also gives more emphasis to
the temporal dimension of developments, enabling temporary uses and successive phases
in the development process.
large-scale demolitions and investments
targeting fictional users, the new paradigm
gives preference to the reuse of existing
buildings and infrastructural elements with
helping them gradually adapt new functions.
According to the new model of architectural
interventions, experiments lead to the testing of new functions, where successful uses
are fixed in the program and failed ones get
ejected from it.
The Vacant NL exhibition and its catalogue,
the “Dutch Atlas of Vacancy” exploded in the
national architectural discourse like a bomb,
and offered a strong new orientation to the
country’s architecture policies: instead of
new developments, architects should focus
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5. on abandoned buildings. The 2012 International Architecture Biennial of Rotterdam
followed a similar path: as a central part
of the Biennial, the office Zones Urbaines
Sensibles (ZUS) tested their economic and
urban development concepts in and around
a vacant downtown office building baptized
“Schieblock”, designating it as a “test site”.
The goal of the temporary use of the Schieblock was to fill it with sustainable economic
functions, re-establish its connections with
the surrounding urban fabric and throughout this process, in order to turn the Rotterdam downtown into an attractive, dynamic
location. The core of the of the Schieblock’s
program is to pair and connect various
functions in a mutually fecundating way,
stimulating the exchange of competences
and information, and creating links between
different social groups. The members of
ZUS call this development model “unsolicited architecture”, where architects act as
real estate developers by initiating projects
instead of waiting for commissions. Besides
reusing and reconnecting empty buildings,
this development model also offers an incubating process to NGOs, social and cultural
activities as well as and start-up companies,
for whom affordable workspace may give
important help to establish themselves. The
role of economic and civil incubator is one of
the most important promises of abandoned
properties, that makes vacant real estate
increasingly interesting for urban strategyand policymakers.
Despite the efforts of municipal and governmental actors, the incubation function is
best realized by NGOs: many European cities
witnessed the establishment of “in-between
use agencies” helping the cultural and
social reuse of empty properties, in order
to help strengthen these spheres, as well
as to support neighborhood renewal. The
employment of in-between or temporary use
as a tool for urban development is a delicate
process, based on establishing communication between owners and potential users, on
network building, and on the identification
of resources and the collection of data. This
requires a flexible legal framework, a fast
decision-making process, local sensibility
and the continuous integration of experiences in the model. This process may be
significantly facilitated by the establishment
of an intermediate organizations, independent enough from but cooperating and
exchanging information with municipalities,
whose functioning is not decelerated by the
system’s cumbersome bureaucracy. Organizations of this kind (like Berlin’s Coopolis or
Leipzig’s Haushalten) build databases and
cooperation networks, involve and connect
competent actors, delegate tasks and assure
the constant flow of information between
offer and demand. Transforming empty
properties to allow them adopt new uses
offers advantages to all: owners profit with
the renovation and preservation of the building, users access affordable work and living
spaces, residents enjoy their revitalized
neighborhoods, merchants benefit increasing
traffic and sales, and the design professions
gain new work opportunities and expanded
professional perspectives.
This is the background of the KÉK – Hungarian Contemporary Architecture Centre’s
Lakatlan project.9 To deal with the problem
of vacancy was particularly relevant in
Budapest, as the city has suffered more from
the economic crises than many other European cities. The recession, combined with
many building types becoming obsolete and
no longer able to respond to contemporary
needs, as well as with the mismanagement
of real estate properties owned by private as
well as public owners, has emptied a significant proportion of the city from its previous
functions and use. Over 30% of office spaces
are vacant in Budapest alone, adding up to
an estimated million square meters of wasted space, not to mention the countless empty
storefronts, abandoned residential buildings
and even commercial complexes.
In the Fall of 2012, KÉK launched a lecture
series with a variety of presentations from
the fields of architecture, urban research,
planning, economic development and
homeless rights. In parallel, we developed a
crowdmap using an Ushahidi platform, inviting citizens to participate in the mapping
process.10 To map vacancy, we needed to define categories and temporalities vacancy, to
create a system that is organized according
9
www.kek.org.hu/lakatlan/en
www.lakatlan.crowdmap.com
source: http://lakatan.crowdmap.com
10
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6. Map of vacant houses in Budapest
to the type of property as well as to the period
during which the property has been vacant.
For identifying the properties, we needed
to keep the editing process open, enabling
users to comment on each others’ entries and
to accumulate information concerning any
property.
In the meanwhile, the task of mapping vacant properties requires cooperation between
institutional and non-institutional sources
of information. Municipalities dispose of
the cadastral map, the registration number
of each property, their geographical location
and size. To complement the official information, participating citizens have their everyday observations and memories that they
can transform into timelines telling about
the duration of vacancy of each property, the
previous occupations, their success or failure:
this may give a more complex picture of the
issue of vacancy, of small commerce as well as
of housing shortage or the process of postindustrialization. In the crowdmap’s website,
therefore, citizens can upload their observations, in a way that they constitute a database
comparable to the municipal set. We created
an easy-to-use interface and provided a wide
access to the website; the accuracy of the
observations is double-checked with the help
of various verification methods.
as well as the City Hall have equally found
their interest in reusing vacant spaces in
various areas of the city. In this process, the
map proved to be more than a simple instrument to visualize information: it is in the
same time a tool to attract participation and
an interface to stimulate discussion, helping
reshape our perception of the city. Helped by
the map, a veritable experiment has begun to
unfold: granted a project gallery by the City
of Budapest, the Lakatlan project set itself
in 2013 to initiate a matchmaking process between owners and potential users, establishing the notion of “in-between use” both in
the official discourse and in public opinion.
Since its launch, the Lakatlan lecture series
and the crowdmap have quickly become catalysts of the public discourse on vacant properties. Representatives of homeless organizations, NGOs, art galleries, design initiatives
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