Reframing the Urban: Cities and their global impact
Neil Brenner, Professor of Urban Theory and Director of Urban Theory Lab (UTL) at Harvard Graduate School of Design, talks with Peter Mares, University of Melbourne, about the phenomenon of ”urbanization”. The talk is available as a podcast on urbantheorylab.net.
As more and more people move into cities, we live in an urban age—this is a common assumption. Brenner opposes this definition of the “urban age”, which is based on a binary opposition between city and countryside. He argues instead that it is necessary to look beyond this notion of the rural/urban divide, since it cannot encompass the differences in processes of urbanization. He proposes a redefinition of the concept of “urbanization”, which acknowledges that rural territories—the so-called hinterland—play a fundamental part in supplying cities with resources and are thus essential to the process. Urbanization has already reached the whole planet, not only so-called “urban” regions: ”I do believe that we live in an urban world and in an urbanised planet, but in order to understand the way in which that's the case we oftentimes have to look far beyond the city limits in order to see the ways in which landscapes, environments, territories are being transformed to support the current form of urbanisation.“—Read more at: upclose.unimelb.edu.au
The book Implosions / Explosions, edited by Neil Brenner, looks at processes of urbanization across places, regions, territories, continents, and oceans up to the planetary scale.
Neil Brenner, Professor of Urban Theory and Director of Urban Theory Lab (UTL) at Harvard Graduate School of Design, talks with Peter Mares, University of Melbourne, about the phenomenon of ”urbanization”. The talk is available as a podcast on urbantheorylab.net.
As more and more people move into cities, we live in an urban age—this is a common assumption. Brenner opposes this definition of the “urban age”, which is based on a binary opposition between city and countryside. He argues instead that it is necessary to look beyond this notion of the rural/urban divide, since it cannot encompass the differences in processes of urbanization. He proposes a redefinition of the concept of “urbanization”, which acknowledges that rural territories—the so-called hinterland—play a fundamental part in supplying cities with resources and are thus essential to the process. Urbanization has already reached the whole planet, not only so-called “urban” regions: ”I do believe that we live in an urban world and in an urbanised planet, but in order to understand the way in which that's the case we oftentimes have to look far beyond the city limits in order to see the ways in which landscapes, environments, territories are being transformed to support the current form of urbanisation.“—Read more at: upclose.unimelb.edu.au
The book Implosions / Explosions, edited by Neil Brenner, looks at processes of urbanization across places, regions, territories, continents, and oceans up to the planetary scale.
New Series: gmp FOCUS
Our new series gmp FOCUS documents an exemplary selection of buildings by architecture firm gmp—von Gerkan, Marg and Partner. Each volume presents one building by means of detailed texts and photo galleries by renowned culture journalists, architecture critics, and photographers. Among others, the publications focus on the Hanoi Museum of Vietnam, the Chongqing Grand Theater in China, the State Ballet School in Berlin, and the Hans-Sachs-Haus in Gelsenkirchen.
The architecture partnership gmp was founded in 1965 by Meinhard von Gerkan and Volkwin Marg. gmp became known especially on account of its airport architecture: in 1975, Berlin-Tegel was opened as a drive-in airport. It is not only their projects such as the exhibition center Neue Messe Leipzig, the reconstruction and roofing of the Berlin Olympic Stadium, or the Berlin Central Station that have gained international acclaim. In China, they have realized the trade fair and congress centers in Nanning and Shenzhen, as well as the Universiade Sports Center and the Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai. Further buildings include the opera houses in Chongqing, Qingdao, and Tianjin, as well as the National Museum of China in Beijing and the new West Railway Station in Tianjin. gmp has been awarded more than 590 prizes in national and international competitions, of which more than 310 first prizes, and numerous distinctions for exemplary architecture. They have realized more than 370 buildings up until today.
Our new series gmp FOCUS documents an exemplary selection of buildings by architecture firm gmp—von Gerkan, Marg and Partner. Each volume presents one building by means of detailed texts and photo galleries by renowned culture journalists, architecture critics, and photographers. Among others, the publications focus on the Hanoi Museum of Vietnam, the Chongqing Grand Theater in China, the State Ballet School in Berlin, and the Hans-Sachs-Haus in Gelsenkirchen.
The architecture partnership gmp was founded in 1965 by Meinhard von Gerkan and Volkwin Marg. gmp became known especially on account of its airport architecture: in 1975, Berlin-Tegel was opened as a drive-in airport. It is not only their projects such as the exhibition center Neue Messe Leipzig, the reconstruction and roofing of the Berlin Olympic Stadium, or the Berlin Central Station that have gained international acclaim. In China, they have realized the trade fair and congress centers in Nanning and Shenzhen, as well as the Universiade Sports Center and the Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai. Further buildings include the opera houses in Chongqing, Qingdao, and Tianjin, as well as the National Museum of China in Beijing and the new West Railway Station in Tianjin. gmp has been awarded more than 590 prizes in national and international competitions, of which more than 310 first prizes, and numerous distinctions for exemplary architecture. They have realized more than 370 buildings up until today.
How Do We Create Cities Together?
„How do we create cities together?“—Richard Sennett, Professor of Sociology at London School of Economics and Political Science, Regula Lüscher, State Senate Department Director of Berlin, Marcos Rosa, architect, Sao Paolo, and Stefan Horn, urban dialogues, Berlin, discussed this question together with Kristien Ring, architect and founder of AA Projects, Berlin.
Richard Sennett’s keynote and the following discussion focused on the relation between top down planning and bottom up initiatives: How can citizens be integrated in processes of urban development? What are the advantages of bottom up projects and what are their limits? How can community projects have an impact on the city beyond the confines of the particular neighborhood?
The lecture and discussion took place at March 31, 2015. The book Handmade Urbanism. From Community Initiatives to Participatory Models, edited by Marcos L. Rosa and Ute Weiland, also focuses on the role of participatory methods in urban development. It presents 15 exemplary projects realized mostly in less favored areas of five major cities in emerging countries, examining the potential of urban transformation embedded in community initiatives.
„How do we create cities together?“—Richard Sennett, Professor of Sociology at London School of Economics and Political Science, Regula Lüscher, State Senate Department Director of Berlin, Marcos Rosa, architect, Sao Paolo, and Stefan Horn, urban dialogues, Berlin, discussed this question together with Kristien Ring, architect and founder of AA Projects, Berlin.
Richard Sennett’s keynote and the following discussion focused on the relation between top down planning and bottom up initiatives: How can citizens be integrated in processes of urban development? What are the advantages of bottom up projects and what are their limits? How can community projects have an impact on the city beyond the confines of the particular neighborhood?
The lecture and discussion took place at March 31, 2015. The book Handmade Urbanism. From Community Initiatives to Participatory Models, edited by Marcos L. Rosa and Ute Weiland, also focuses on the role of participatory methods in urban development. It presents 15 exemplary projects realized mostly in less favored areas of five major cities in emerging countries, examining the potential of urban transformation embedded in community initiatives.
Design Award Wüstenrot Foundation
The architecture firm Lederer Ragnarsdóttir Oei received the design award of the national competition of the Wüstenrot foundation “Building culture in Germany” (Baukultur in Deutschland) for the Hospitalhof in Stuttgart—a center used by the evangelical church in Stuttgart for culture, art, spirituality, and education. Among other things, the new building convinced the jury because of its harmonious relation with the existing layout and buildings of the neighborhood. You can find a detailed description and images of the Hospitalhof on LRO’s website.
The Wüstenrot foundation awarded 14 projects in the competition, which will be exhibited between February 24 and March 27, 2015 at BDA (Bund Deutscher Architekten), Zeppelin Carré, Friedrichstraße 5, 70174 Stuttgart.
The architecture firm Lederer Ragnarsdóttir Oei received the design award of the national competition of the Wüstenrot foundation “Building culture in Germany” (Baukultur in Deutschland) for the Hospitalhof in Stuttgart—a center used by the evangelical church in Stuttgart for culture, art, spirituality, and education. Among other things, the new building convinced the jury because of its harmonious relation with the existing layout and buildings of the neighborhood. You can find a detailed description and images of the Hospitalhof on LRO’s website.
The Wüstenrot foundation awarded 14 projects in the competition, which will be exhibited between February 24 and March 27, 2015 at BDA (Bund Deutscher Architekten), Zeppelin Carré, Friedrichstraße 5, 70174 Stuttgart.
Jan Gehl—Cities for People
On February 18 the Danish architect and city planner Jan Gehl talked about his principles in urban planning, which focus on the human scale. He presented numerous international projects that have integrated these principles—among others his hometown Copenhagen.
The event was organized in collaboration with the Alfred-Herrhausen-Society to present the first German edition of Gehl’s international bestseller Cities for People (Städte für Menschen).
For more than 40 years, the architect and city planner Jan Gehl has been involved in redesigning or creating new designs for squares, streets, even entire city districts, for the benefit of the residents. He bases himself on insights that he has gained through many years of studying city situations in various countries. By observing megacities in detail himself, Gehl develops methods and strategies for bringing significant positive change to dysfunctional and inhospitable urban landscapes. The most important principle behind Jan Gehl’s urban planning on a human scale is that the urban space has to be experienced at the speed of a pedestrian, instead of from a vehicle. This is the only way to succeed in making both traditional metropolises and rapidly growing cities in developing and emerging countries into “cities for people”.
On February 18 the Danish architect and city planner Jan Gehl talked about his principles in urban planning, which focus on the human scale. He presented numerous international projects that have integrated these principles—among others his hometown Copenhagen.
The event was organized in collaboration with the Alfred-Herrhausen-Society to present the first German edition of Gehl’s international bestseller Cities for People (Städte für Menschen).
For more than 40 years, the architect and city planner Jan Gehl has been involved in redesigning or creating new designs for squares, streets, even entire city districts, for the benefit of the residents. He bases himself on insights that he has gained through many years of studying city situations in various countries. By observing megacities in detail himself, Gehl develops methods and strategies for bringing significant positive change to dysfunctional and inhospitable urban landscapes. The most important principle behind Jan Gehl’s urban planning on a human scale is that the urban space has to be experienced at the speed of a pedestrian, instead of from a vehicle. This is the only way to succeed in making both traditional metropolises and rapidly growing cities in developing and emerging countries into “cities for people”.
Architecture Magazine Speech: Now Available at JOVIS
The bilingual architecture magazine speech: is now part of the JOVIS program: Each issue of the international magazine focuses on one topic relevant to modern architecture, highlighting it from different perspectives including theoretical and practical issues, history, and relevance, and discussing it in depth through international and Russian projects. All texts are written in Russian and English and illustrated with numerous graphics.
The first issue in 2015 analyzes the metro as a distinctive architectural type and a unique public space. The modern metro has ceased to be simply a means of getting to where you need to be by the shortest route; more than any other kind of public transport, it today determines the architectural image of large cities and the comfort of their urban environment. speech: 13 looks at the layout and design, transport infrastructure, as well as innovative technologies and materials using examples of metro stations from all over the world, which have been built in the last three years.
speech: (English and Russian) is published twice a year; up from issue 13 in cooperation with JOVIS Publishers. Issues 1–12 are available on inquiry through JOVIS Publishers.
The bilingual architecture magazine speech: is now part of the JOVIS program: Each issue of the international magazine focuses on one topic relevant to modern architecture, highlighting it from different perspectives including theoretical and practical issues, history, and relevance, and discussing it in depth through international and Russian projects. All texts are written in Russian and English and illustrated with numerous graphics.
The first issue in 2015 analyzes the metro as a distinctive architectural type and a unique public space. The modern metro has ceased to be simply a means of getting to where you need to be by the shortest route; more than any other kind of public transport, it today determines the architectural image of large cities and the comfort of their urban environment. speech: 13 looks at the layout and design, transport infrastructure, as well as innovative technologies and materials using examples of metro stations from all over the world, which have been built in the last three years.
speech: (English and Russian) is published twice a year; up from issue 13 in cooperation with JOVIS Publishers. Issues 1–12 are available on inquiry through JOVIS Publishers.
Two IBA-Projects Awarded with Prize for “Human Housing”
Two projects of the International Building Exhibition IBA Hamburg were awarded the Carl-Friedrich-Fischer-prize for human housing („humanes Wohnen“): the wing buildings of the Global Neighborhood and the apartment building New Hamburg Terraces.
Both projects are presented in the final catalog of the International Building Exhibition IBA Hamburg Building the City within the City.
Two projects of the International Building Exhibition IBA Hamburg were awarded the Carl-Friedrich-Fischer-prize for human housing („humanes Wohnen“): the wing buildings of the Global Neighborhood and the apartment building New Hamburg Terraces.
Both projects are presented in the final catalog of the International Building Exhibition IBA Hamburg Building the City within the City.
Norihiko Dan’s Terminal One wins 2014 Taiwan Architecture Awards
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport’s redeveloped Terminal One project is top winner of the 2014 Taiwan Architecture Awards, according to event organizer Taiwan Architect Magazine Nov. 10. Designed by Japanese architect Norihiko Dan, who bagged top prize in the same awards three years ago, the NT$2.76 billion (US$90 million) project started in 2004 and took nine years to complete. (http://taiwantoday.tw)
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport’s redeveloped Terminal One project is top winner of the 2014 Taiwan Architecture Awards, according to event organizer Taiwan Architect Magazine Nov. 10. Designed by Japanese architect Norihiko Dan, who bagged top prize in the same awards three years ago, the NT$2.76 billion (US$90 million) project started in 2004 and took nine years to complete. (http://taiwantoday.tw)
The Acoustic City – Website
Now online: theacousticcity.com, website for the publication The Acoustic City by editors Matthew Gandy and B.J. Nilsen. The book documents the relation between sounds and the city, comprising five sections: urban soundscapes, acoustic flânerie, acoustic ecologies, and the politics of noise. It is accompanied by a specially commissioned CD, which features soundscapes from various cities.
The website contains updated news and sound examples from the CD.
Now online: theacousticcity.com, website for the publication The Acoustic City by editors Matthew Gandy and B.J. Nilsen. The book documents the relation between sounds and the city, comprising five sections: urban soundscapes, acoustic flânerie, acoustic ecologies, and the politics of noise. It is accompanied by a specially commissioned CD, which features soundscapes from various cities.
The website contains updated news and sound examples from the CD.
Golden Lion of the 14th Architecture Biennale in Venice
Phyllis Lambert has been chosen to be the recipient of the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement of the 14th Architecture Biennale in Venice 2014! The Golden Lion will be officially awarded to Phyllis Lambert on Saturday June 7th, 2014 – 11 a.m. in the Giardini, during the opening and award ceremony of the Biennale. Recipients of last years were in 2012 Álvaro Liza, 2010 Rem Koolhaas, and 2008 Frank O. Gehry.
The photographer Ingrid von Kruse has portrayed the now 87-year-old Lambert in her book Eminent Architects (2012).
Phyllis Lambert has been chosen to be the recipient of the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement of the 14th Architecture Biennale in Venice 2014! The Golden Lion will be officially awarded to Phyllis Lambert on Saturday June 7th, 2014 – 11 a.m. in the Giardini, during the opening and award ceremony of the Biennale. Recipients of last years were in 2012 Álvaro Liza, 2010 Rem Koolhaas, and 2008 Frank O. Gehry.
The photographer Ingrid von Kruse has portrayed the now 87-year-old Lambert in her book Eminent Architects (2012).