Tuesday, March 29, 2016 10:00 am
-
10:00 am
EDT (GMT -04:00)
Of
the
thesis
entitled:Complexity
&
Community
-
Designing
SocialIntricacy
in
Urban
Neighborhoods
Abstract:
Over
the
last
few
decades,
urban
growth
in
Canadahas
shifted
from
continuous
expansion
of
the
urban
periphery
to
the
morecomplex
layering
of
the
urban
centre.
This
change
gives
rise
to
a
need
toreassess
our
understandingof
models
of
urban
growth
and
to
recalibrate
them
tosuit
the
inherent
value
of
urban
neighborhoods.
The most significant chasm between “growing out” and“growing in” is the ability to manage the complexity and intricacy that existsboth spatially and socially in urban neighborhoods.An inward-focused growth requires asensitiveunderstanding of place, typology, and socio-cultural ecology that contemporarydevelopment models not only fail to address, but are often willfully ignorantof, and therefore liable to destroy.
In thriving cities, the complexity and heterogeneityof the urban environment are unique and irreplaceable assets. These qualitiesare arguably one of the most essential aspects of the contemporary sustainablecity, generating arich urban fabric by maximizing points of contact, exchangeand interface.[1] And yet, in contemporary mid-sized cities we tend to approachurban complexity with hesitation and suspicion because of its seeminglyinherent messinessand refusal to become orderly.
This thesis is premised on theories put forward byCanadian Architect George Baird, who has written that we need to pay the sameattention to the preservation and reuse of existing urban fabric as we do tothe efficient use ofenergy.[2] This necessitates a more nuanced approach tocomplexity, which in turn promotes a reconciliation of good design and socialcommitment.Originally posited as an idea about returning to ahistoricist city, this thesis advocatesfor their reconsideration as a returnto complexity, rather than tradition.
Set in Mary Allen Neighborhood in ݮƵ, Ontario,this thesis leverages the richness of complexity within an urban environment toexplore a model of growth based on inclusion rather than the superficial unityof exclusion.[3] The proposed design embraces the specific over the abstract,acknowledging and valuing the vital role played by social engagement andarchitectural intimacy in city making.
[1] Salat, Serge, Loeiz Bourdic, andCaroline Nowacki.“Assessing Urban Complexity.” International Journal ofSustainable Building Technology and Urban Development 1,no. 2 (2010):160-67.
[2] Baird, George, and Barton Myers.VacantLottery.Minneapolis: Walker Art Center, 1978. (13)
[3] Venturi, Robert.Complexity andContradiction in Architecture. New York: Museum of Modern Art, 1966. (16)
The most significant chasm between “growing out” and“growing in” is the ability to manage the complexity and intricacy that existsboth spatially and socially in urban neighborhoods.An inward-focused growth requires asensitiveunderstanding of place, typology, and socio-cultural ecology that contemporarydevelopment models not only fail to address, but are often willfully ignorantof, and therefore liable to destroy.
In thriving cities, the complexity and heterogeneityof the urban environment are unique and irreplaceable assets. These qualitiesare arguably one of the most essential aspects of the contemporary sustainablecity, generating arich urban fabric by maximizing points of contact, exchangeand interface.[1] And yet, in contemporary mid-sized cities we tend to approachurban complexity with hesitation and suspicion because of its seeminglyinherent messinessand refusal to become orderly.
This thesis is premised on theories put forward byCanadian Architect George Baird, who has written that we need to pay the sameattention to the preservation and reuse of existing urban fabric as we do tothe efficient use ofenergy.[2] This necessitates a more nuanced approach tocomplexity, which in turn promotes a reconciliation of good design and socialcommitment.Originally posited as an idea about returning to ahistoricist city, this thesis advocatesfor their reconsideration as a returnto complexity, rather than tradition.
Set in Mary Allen Neighborhood in ݮƵ, Ontario,this thesis leverages the richness of complexity within an urban environment toexplore a model of growth based on inclusion rather than the superficial unityof exclusion.[3] The proposed design embraces the specific over the abstract,acknowledging and valuing the vital role played by social engagement andarchitectural intimacy in city making.
[1] Salat, Serge, Loeiz Bourdic, andCaroline Nowacki.“Assessing Urban Complexity.” International Journal ofSustainable Building Technology and Urban Development 1,no. 2 (2010):160-67.
[2] Baird, George, and Barton Myers.VacantLottery.Minneapolis: Walker Art Center, 1978. (13)
[3] Venturi, Robert.Complexity andContradiction in Architecture. New York: Museum of Modern Art, 1966. (16)
The
examining
committee
is
as
follows:
Co-Supervisors:
Andrew Levitt, University of ݮƵ
RyszardSliwka, University of ݮƵ
CommitteeMember:
Rick
Haldenby,
Universityof
ݮƵ
External Reader:
Pierre Filion, University ofݮƵ
The
committee
has
been
approved
as
authorized
by
the
Graduate
Studies
Committee.
The
Defence
Examination
will
take
place:
Tuesday
March
29,
2016
10:00AM
ARC
2003
A
copy
of
the
thesis
is
available
for
perusal
in
ARC
2106A.