Mobile Strategies Theory course (5 ECTS) AR 9310 Dr Stephen Read
Mobile Space, Scale and Urbanisation Introduction The Theory course will introduce the student by way of selected readings and 8 seminars to ideas of space, scale and formative and transformative processes of cities and places. The issues of mobility, networks and technology will be critically examined in the light of these processes. Teaching Aims The first three lectures will give the students a broad overview of the development of social and spatial theory in relation to the city. The last 5 will concentrate on giving students an insight into changes in the contemporary city and the formative and transformative processes affecting and conditioning the urban surface. The objective is to begin to give them an understanding of the factors affecting the qualities and characters of urban place and of the local in a globalizing world. Content The Theory course will attempt to begin to outline an urban space (a space of the city) in the context of contemporary processes of globalization and urbanization but also as production of and producer of a situated urban life. It will look first at the background of the subject in urban sociology before it tries to address the critical link between space and contemporary life practices through the changes taking place in contemporary cities. It will address some methodological concerns in relation to space-time, complexity and networks before suggesting a way that the production of place is itself a situated resolution of the multitudinous networks of urban life mediated within an urban space of technological infrastructures.
Assignment The students will be expected to produce a 3000 word illustrated document analysing the spatial orderings and assumptions underpinning their studio project. Evaluation The students will be evaluated on their ability to situate their own studio work in a theoretical discourse. In addition they will be expected to demonstrate that they have used theoretical ideas appropriately and skilfully in carrying out their studio project. Assistance Stephen Read will lead the seminars and provide assistance for the students in doing their essays.
Contact European Postgraduate Masters in Urbanism TU Delft, Faculty of Architecture Department of Urbanism Julianalaan 134 2628 BL, Delft The Netherlands Coordinator Delft Ir. Meta Berghauser Pont M.Y.BerghauserPont@tudelft.nl For further information www.studyat.tudelft.nl (postgraduate courses) www.emurbanism.eu