The document discusses the concept of "Spontaneous City" as presented by Gert Urhahn at the Moscow Urban Forum in December 2012. It describes Spontaneous City as focusing on the vital relationship between people and the city, advocating for an alternative approach shaped by occupants through ongoing transformation rather than viewing cities as finished products. The presentation addresses challenges for Moscow, including allowing small-scale, user-defined development; decentralizing micro-districts; redefining public space; strengthening relationships between people and their city; and prioritizing transforming existing cities over endless expansion.

1. MOSCOW
URBAN
FORUM
4-­‐5
DEC
2012
Gert
Urhahn,
Spontaneous
City
InternaDonal
CONCEPT
AND
BEST
PRACTICES
M o s c o w U r b a n F o r u m , D e c 2 0 1 2 | S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | G e r t U r h a h n

2. What is Spontaneous City?
M o s c o w U r b a n F o r u m , D e c 2 0 1 2 | S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | G e r t U r h a h n

3. Spontaneous City is: !
- focussing upon a vital relationship between people and city
M o s c o w U r b a n F o r u m , D e c 2 0 1 2 | S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | G e r t U r h a h n

4. Spontaneous City is: !
- focussing upon a vital relationship between people and city
- a plea for another practice according to a new set of rules
M o s c o w U r b a n F o r u m , D e c 2 0 1 2 | S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | G e r t U r h a h n

5. Spontaneous City is: !
- focussing upon a vital relationship between people and city
- a plea for another practice according to a new set of rules
- shaped by its occupants, in a never-ending process of transformation
M o s c o w U r b a n F o r u m , D e c 2 0 1 2 | S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | G e r t U r h a h n

6. Spontaneous City is: !
!
- focussing upon a vital relationship between people and city
- a plea for another practice according to a new set of rules
- shaped by its occupants, in a never-ending process of transformation
- a reaction to the tendency to view cities as ready made products
M o s c o w U r b a n F o r u m , D e c 2 0 1 2 | S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | G e r t U r h a h n

7. Shanghai!
M o s c o w U r b a n F o r u m , D e c 2 0 1 2 | S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | G e r t U r h a h n

8. Organic as well as planned
ULI European Trends
Conference -
Paris 9th Feb 2011 -
Urhahn Urban Design, Gert

9. Zoom in
Shi$
Limited
number
of
big
players
>
plenty
of
(smaller)
ini7a7ves
M o s c o w U r b a n F o r u m , D e c 2 0 1 2 | S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | G e r t U r h a h n

10. Open developments
Shi$
Fixed
masterplans
and
consor7a
>
open
end
planning
and
strategy
M o s c o w U r b a n F o r u m , D e c 2 0 1 2 | S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | G e r t U r h a h n

11. Collective values
Shi$
More
focus
upon
collec7ve
values
such
as
nature,
sustainable
systems
M o s c o w U r b a n F o r u m , D e c 2 0 1 2 | S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | G e r t U r h a h n

12. User oriented
Shi$
Room
for
par7cipa7on
and
civic
economy
M o s c o w U r b a n F o r u m , D e c 2 0 1 2 | S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | G e r t U r h a h n

13. S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | V V G C o n g r e s s E d e | 1 4 N o v 2 0 1 2

14. S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | V V G C o n g r e s s E d e | 1 4 N o v 2 0 1 2

16. S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | V V G C o n g r e s s E d e | 1 4 N o v 2 0 1 2

17. S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | V V G C o n g r e s s E d e | 1 4 N o v 2 0 1 2

18. S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | V V G C o n g r e s s E d e | 1 4 N o v 2 0 1 2

27. Challenge Moscow: XL > S
How can we allow for small scale, user-defined development in a planning system
that traditionally favours certainty and control
S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | V V G C o n g r e s s E d e | 1 4 N o v 2 0 1 2

28. Challenge Moscow: decentralisation
Turn the micro-rayons into places of belonging and liveable neighbourhoods. Key
word is decentralization.
For me, decentralization means a switch from closed to more open systems as a
primer condition for changes, fresh ideas, more diversity, new initiatives.
M o s c o w U r b a n F o r u m , D e c 2 0 1 2 | S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | G e r t U r h a h n

29. Challenge Moscow: Re-defining Public Space
Public value is what is important for us all on long term: public space, accessibility,
landscape, nature, water and cultural heritage.
What about the quality of the grid pattern? En what about the public realm?
S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | V V G C o n g r e s s E d e | 1 4 N o v 2 0 1 2

30. Challenge Moscow: relationship people < > city
How can we strengthen the relationship between people and their city?
Participation is quite under pressure, especially in those areas with high dynamics
and high speed of urban growth. Why is it so important?
- Social: coherence and empowerment,
- Spatial: quality of the working and living environments .
- Economic: entrepreneurship
- Political: relationship
S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | V V G C o n g r e s s E d e | 1 4 N o v 2 0 1 2

31. Challenge Moscow: Extension or transformation?
After decades of never ending extension and growth, the transformation of the existing
city becomes more and more obvious. Magacities should try to consolida. Although
more complex, there are clear advantages: more urban, more divers, more sustainable.
S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | V V G C o n g r e s s E d e | 1 4 N o v 2 0 1 2