europe crisis?!

EUROPE, CRISIS?!

foreword

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Crisis: - “a sudden change in the course of a disease or fever, toward either improvement or deterioration” - “incipient moment; crucial point (when something begins or changes)” (1) In 2009 the world is changing radically. After the instigation of global power shifts , the green hype considering the climate change, the current state of world wide economic recession and the changes in social-cultural values, we need a moment to evaluate. For the first time we are forced to act, think and plan as one truly global collective, considering our current state of facts to determine how our system will develop further.

According to Eastern philosophy change is necessary and inevitable to ensure a future continuum. But, what is changing and how do we take advantage of this?

During the summer of 2009 a research team travelled throughout Western Europe to identify, map and publish the current conditions based upon the four themes described above; financial systems, social-cultural values, global power division and environmental conditions. To identify the current state of Europe and to increase the frame of reference to better diagnose our current situation.

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Oxford English Dictionary

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index

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travel map

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general research

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research fields

3.1 Europe, financial Crisis?

Charleroi

Lille

3.2 Europe, social-cultural crisis? ﾃ四e de la Citﾃｩ

Vals

Insel hoimbrich

3.3 Europe, identity crisis?

CERN

Strassbourg

3.4 Europe, environmental crisis?

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Urban Europe, Crisis?!

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credits

Zollverein

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pictures

campsite

nature

art

architecture

science

monastery

industry

europe

agglomeration

landscape

city area

rural community

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travel map

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How to grasp the complexity of the current crisis? How can we judge? And how can we create a frame work for contemporary diagnosis?

Our intention was to extend our frame of reference, to better diagnose the interdependence of the four change parameters within contemporary urban situations in Western Europe. A one week intensive travel should give at least a good opportunity to discuss these topics and to be able to interpret various design solutions.

The tour, thus not directly to find the answer on these urgent questions, is organized and published to cause publicdiscussion about these topics.

It is important to realize that we can be in control of the way the future is shaped. As long as we are able, and willing, to activate partners and establish consistent relations, we can create the next generation.

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travel itinerary

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day 1 - Charleroi - Euralille - arrivel in Paris day 2 - Kandinsky in Centre Pompidou - Grand Paris exhibition day 3 - Paris Banlieu’s day 4 - Geneva; Cern - arrivel Chur day 5 - Vals day 6 - Strassbourg day 6 - Museum Insel Hombroich - Museum Zollverein - arrivel in Delft

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general resarch

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Only that which is alive and changing, stays fresh and contemporary.

Change in itself is inherent in continuation. What are the current change parameters, and how do they influence our collective identity?

Financial systems Due to irresponsible behavior within the responsibilities of the financial world current financial system are crashing. Mono culture within economic systems does not proof to be a sustainable method for the financial world; does this yield the collapse of capitalism as we know it?

Social-cultural values Losing social-cultural values of ethical and religious matters due to globalization is already a fact. Anxiety about the native culture - identity and the future - causes diffusion, fear, anger and nihilism. We’re increasing our frame of reference by social networks on the internet, world traveling with cheap flights or television. But we seem to loose moral judgment capacities.

Equality gave us al the right to speak, but who still knows what he is talking about? Is this the collapse of democracy ?

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Global power divisions Globalization is already long underway, but with a global power structure and a dynamic world power equilibrium there is no clear consensus yet about the direction of global power division within the current global frame . The admission of China into the World Trade Organization in 2001 was one of the tipping points showing us the rise of a new world class economy. But the development of India, Brazil and Africa will affect the global power divisions strongly as well. Within Europe the quest for power is mostly an identity problem where the various member states don’t want to be seen as ... Inside Europe the division of powers instigates an identity-problem.

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Environmental conditions The delicate environmental balance has been influenced by human interventions. Various contemporary initiatives show us the threats for future insurance of contemporary living qualities.

So, everybody tries to compensate an innovate in maintaining our current eco-balance, trying to prevent further ecological change.

Nowadays, ‘self sufficient’ buildings and ‘eco-cities’ seek their appropriate place in the biosphere by acting as biospheres themselves. Zero-carbon, zero-waste, zero-greenhouseemissions, zero-waterusage and zero-energy standards.

Responsibly efficient, our buildings are now domes. Machines that optimize and express atmospheric enclosure. They react to the crisis of man-made world destruction by building more and better little worlds. Smart, intelligent building skins are the new bomb shelter, seeking shelter in the war on ecology. (2)

As reaction, a paradigm shift will need to take effect moving from a ‘society of control’ which induces fear, to a ‘society of interdependency’ in which actions facilitate as opposed to exploit. (3)

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see ‘Volume 20 – Story Telling’, p. 29-34 ‘Crisis in Crisis’ see ‘Alexander Vollebregt, Unleashing the Creative Urban’ for original quotings

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europe, financial crisis?

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After the instigation of global economic distress in the US, following a mortgage-crisis in 2008, Europe is also facing the effects of economical recession. News papers are placing headlining articles on their front pages every day; e.g. strikes in Paris, foreclosed houses in lower-income suburbs and the shutting down of factories in Chareroi. Overall an increasing number of unemployment and bankrupt companies.

The division between poor and wealthy is expanding all over the world., as not everybody is equally affected. Even in Europe we cannot always assume the welfare state. In Paris there are large banlieus, dwelling areas with poor living conditions, next to the well known inner city of Paris.

What is this effect of economical recession on the life in cities?

As one of the causes for the failure of contemporary financial systems, we can address the monotonic focus in terms of economic developments. One-sided focus on a product or service increases the effect of very strong counter-reactions within the larger system when the market-value of this service would to decline strongly. An alternative would be to provide pluroformic economic orientation towards various products, services and target groups. This will provide an interdependent system that will prove to be more adaptable to change and thus to surviving. Also applicable for urban conditions.

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Charleroi

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Charleroi, Belgium, 05 08 2009 Charleroi is a good example to see the effects of economic downfall in contemporary cities, in terms of monotonic financial/ functional focus. It is one of the largest cities of Belgium.

The city is purely based upon the extraction, distribution and production of natural resources, such as the production and processing of steel, glassworks, chemicals, and electrical engineering. To accommodate the extensive labour force and provide urban quality, a modern, metropolitan, infrastructure has been built. But, resources ran out and the industry collapsed.

The rapid development brought upon by the industrialization was singular orientated and diminished even faster than it came. The city is in a state of decline.

Contemporary Charleroi is now known for it’s high rate of foreclosures and economic failure, not able to continue it’s former success. This brings consequential social problems, now dominating the public realm within a setting of dilapidated buildings . ‘Le Pays Noir’ is still the identity of the city while the industry that provided this nickname is almost all gone.

A visit to Charleroi to make an inventory how the city turned out when the singular orientated economical motive has fallen away.

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Expo city-center plaza

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Charleroi, Belgium

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Expo city-center plaza

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Charleroi, Belgium

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labour class housing

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Charleroi, Belgium

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restaurant in city center

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Charleroi, Belgium

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foreclosed housing

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Charleroi, Belgium

public realm

Charleroi, Belgium

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Lille

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Lille, France, 05 08 2009

Lille is a city that has seen tremendous growth in the past three decades, instigated with the development potential caused by large investments in infrastructure, such as it’s connection to the hi-speed TGV network. This triggered investments to open up the booming economic potential in the hinterland. The regional town of Lille, next to the language border in Belgium, became ‘EuraLille’; OMA/ Rem Koolhaas’s master plan for the development of this economic hub.

And not only in the new commercial center you will find an increase in the quality of life and build environment. The historical centers of the city also shows the ability to change into a new hotspot.

A visit to Lille to investigate how a seemingly unimportant city can develop to one of the biggest economical and commercial centers of Northern-France. Is this the effect of changing the economical system of a city from monotone to pluriform?

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TGV main station Lille, France

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constructions continue Lille, France

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new program added to the city Lille, France

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meeting point Lille, France

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europe, socio-cultural crisis?

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What is the place of culture in contemporary society?

Considering globalization and the intensification of migration towards developed countries, Europe is a place where various cultures accumulate and exchange. But, how does this influence identity? And what is the role of ‘native culture’? How do we judge social-cultural values?

Within western cultural developments there has been an increasing division in the treatment of concept/ vision and the experience of culture as rooted in the social conscious.

The start of the modern discourse, which we call ‘modernity’, has rapidly evolved this process of disjunction. The modern ideal of a separated zoning of ideological motives has proven to be a fundament for collective disorientation.

This today has led to a crack between the social fundaments of society and the innovations regarding future constituents. The masses are no longer able to relate to developments within the elite of visionary thinkers and detached conceptual experiences.

The other way around, the critical thinkers do not regard their developments as part of contemporary culture; rather they think of their critique as a statement towards an improved ideal.

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ﾃ四e de la Citﾃｩ

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Île de la Cité , France 06 08 2009

Île de la Cité is the most well-known island in the river Seine.

Here you can find the Notre Dame, a renowned cultural icon, representing the heydays of French Gothic culture.

The square in front of the cathedral is always full of activities as tourists, guides and traders populate the area.

To hear the rich history of Ile de la Cité gives people the opportunity to drift away in tales of the past. The island is conserved in the exact state as it was centuries ago. For the tourists this theme park is Paris as they want to know it. And they fail to comprehend the city of Paris the mediocre urban metropolis it is outside the theme-park borders.

At ten in the morning the que with tourists waiting to get a guided tour is already longer than the cathedral is tall. But, you don’t have to que. It is also possible to enter directly, for free, without a guided tour. Nobody is interested in this. Is it too much to ask to discover and interpret on your own?

A visit to Île de la Cité to investigate what culture means for the mass (tourists).

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Notre Dame ﾃ四e de la Citﾃｩ , France

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ﾃ四e de la Citﾃｩ Paris, France

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ﾃ四e de la Citﾃｩ Paris, France

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Vals

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Vals, Switzerland 10 08 2009

On the other extreme of culture consumption we can find the elite in isolation, detached from everyday reality. In the South-Eastern mountains of Switzerland one can find true independence. Nature, calm and clarity. Mountain trails, clear water and air. In Vals architect Peter Zumthor designed a complex of thermal baths. A place to escape the chaotic life of the city, to relax and experience the convincing beauty of nature.

The remote location of the baths makes it difficult to access and brings a group of visitors that have consciously chosen to experience seclusion.

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waterfall Vals, Switzerland

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waterfall Vals, Switzerland

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river Rhine Vals, Switzerland

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river Rhine Chur, Switzerland

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the American Dream? Vals, Switzerland

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thermal baths

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Vals, Switzerland

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thermal baths

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Vals, Switzerland

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Insel hombroich

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Insel Hombroich, Germany 11 08 2009

The Museum Insel Hombroich in Germany is a private art collection, set within a secluded landscape area. It is an open air museum in which nature and art come together. The museum consists of three types of landscape in which various brick art-pavilions are placed that display art; from the historic to the contemporary. Museum-Insel Hombroich creates an island of serenity within the chaotic and polluting environment of the industrial Ruhrgebiet.

It is a place to reflect.

A stroll through nature, the experience of silence and the inspirational work of visionary artists, makes you feel far away from all the struggles of daily routine .

Can art make us escape reality?

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‘the tower’, interior Neuss, Germany

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cultural elite?

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Neuss, Germany

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the tower in winter

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Neuss, Germany

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the tower in summer

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Neuss, Germany

wooden bridge

Neuss, Germany

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gathering of the elite?

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Neuss, Germany

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europe, identity crisis?

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The general outcome of Europe’s democratic referendum in 2008, was ‘NO against Europe’. What is Europe and how do we experience it?

The reasons for founding the European Union have largely involved economic potentials. To strengthen international cooperation, to provide a stronger business partner in the global market, to allow for more easy exchange of goods and people between member states. Currently we see that founding members no longer see the economical benefits of membership, because a lot of money is invested in new member states, to strengthen the mean financial solidity, with financial support from more developed members.

Over the past year Europe also has become the scapegoat for all kind of problems that cannot be solved on an national level; ‘let’s blame it all on Europe!’.

But, is it really a choice to ‘join Europe’? The strength of Europe is that, within close proximity we are able to function as a unified identity, while maintaining individual characteristics. So, how does Europe manifest itself?

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CERN, Geneva, Switzerland

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CERN, Switzerland 10 08 2009

In the aftermath of WW II, Europe was on its knees. International cooperation emerged as a major instrument of social reconstruction. The United Nations Organization and UNESCO were both founded in 1945, their common aim being to foster peace between nations, in the latter case through the promotion of education, science, culture and communication.

Physics and fundamental research could contribute to this endeavour through their intrinsic neutrality, consistent need for objectivity, and their ability to stimulate thought and bring people together in a common purpose.

It was in this process, of bringing people together, in the search for peace and human progress that CERN was founded.

CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is one of the world’s largest and most respected centres for scientific research. It’s a quest to find out what the fundaments of our Universe consist of. It was one of Europe’s first joint ventures and now has 20 Member States. The integral approach of different scientific problems by scientists from different cultures made it possible to achieve grand advancement for human society so far, i.e. the invention of the internet.

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CERN visitors center

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Geneva, Switzerland

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partical collision diagram

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Geneva, Switzerland

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CERN - LHC

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Geneva, Switzerland

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Strassbourg

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Strassbourg, France 10 08 2009

Strassbourg is one of two cities that houses the European parliament (the other being Brussels) as an icon for united potential.

Recent developments in the European continent show a strong fear towards a uniform identity. People don’t want to share an identity they don’t find worth representing. In a world that continues to blend towards a more global perspective, there is thus the importance of local culture and identity.

Also in Strassbourg this effect is noticeable. Where Europe promotes a democratic entity; open and transparent, in Strassbourg it is detached from city fabric and not accessible for any visitor. The area though, is full of tourists, strolling the area with a sense of disillusion. Their hope of getting to see THE Europe is brutally destroyed.

A visit to Strassbourg to investigate the current situation of the broken identity of Europe, half in Brussels half in Strassbourg, and the effect of large public institutions embedded in existing urban situations.

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European Parliament HQ

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Strassbourg, France

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Center for Human Rights

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Strassbourg, France

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European Council

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Strassbourg, France

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high-tech infrastructure

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Strassbourg, France

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europe, environmental crisis?

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The current use of materials and resources does not provide sustainable living conditions in the future. Therefore the tendency is to limit this use, reuse waste and energy, and optimize the use of it. In this light the focus is shifting towards self sufficiency. This seems to be the key strategy in order to reach a durable society, to ensure that “the present needs will not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’� New, sustainable cities are planned as energy-neutral islands in the environment.

They are safe cocoons on the surface of the earth and will not affect this in any way. But quality of life emerges out of the synergy of living in the environment.

We cannot speak anymore of the environment as a product of nature. The environment as such is created with the same machines as the city is. The question subsequently is not how to built a city as an independent and self sufficient cocoon, but how to incorporate nature and culture.

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Zollverein

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Zollverein, Germany 11 08 2009

Zollverein is a former industrial area near Essen, Germany. The area is currently under UNESCO governance for its cultural and ecological value. As a former heavy industrial site, it is currently known for its ecological diversity and renewed social cultural capacities.

Various international architects worked together on the redevelopment of the old industrial buildings, turning it into museums, art galleries, a design school and restaurants. The whole area is again used by locals, but now also tourists flock the grounds; an appropriate combination.

The planners understood that environmental problems are not dealt with independently. In this area an equilibrium is formed between culture, nature and industry. The area is considered as a complete system, which enables a balanced design with reuse of the existing industrial buildings, incidental additions and an ecological structure. The former industrial area caused the surrounding dwelling areas to grow and inhabitants were bound by this shared identity. The new plan also restored the social identity of the adjoining neighborhoods. But, the Ruhrgebiet is big, if this works here, how do we deal with the broader area?

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Zollverein kohlenwasche

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Zollverein, Germany

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restaurant in former Kohlenwasche

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Zollverein, Germany

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nature takes over‌

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Zollverein, Germany

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abandoned mining equipment

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Zollverein, Germany

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Urban Europe, Crisis?!

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Paris, France

Previously mentioned examples have all been considered to function as specialized cocoons with a specific problem or quality. The challenge though, lies in tying these aspects integrally together, in the recognition of Europe as urban challenge. This currently manifests itself in various urban regions, where new ideas are developed on how to deal with contemporary changing societies. In Paris this is manifested in the search for new strategies, towards a ‘Post Kyoto’-city; metropolis of the future. How can we approach Paris, with Vision Included?

When looking at the various proposals for the ‘GrandParis’ exhibition in which renowned architectural and urban offices display a strategy for the development of Paris into the future, it is striking to see how many of the proposals are still focused on finding solutions based upon one or two stand-alone themes; ‘improve infrastructure’, ‘stimulate tourism’, ‘strengthen the river link’, etc. Current complex situations ask for a recognition in integral strategies. The strategy now is to go beyond individual monotonic niches; we must form multi-disciplinary strategyteams that identify interdependent design complexes.

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According to strong Modernistic functional reasoning, the different users profiles are strictly separated, resulting in a splintered city life with various cocoons that inhabit distinct flows of people. Instead an overall approach should be made that enables all flows to interact.

Evidence of interdependent urban patterns are already clearly visible, but not recognized as such. The decrease of tourism in the ‘cultural’ inner city of Paris, due to the financial crisis, is visible in a deterioration of the banlieus which affects the social-cultural values of the greater city. When looking at cities we tend to consider them according to cultural values; the touristic highlights that shape the outward identity of the city. But much of the inhabitants may never use this part of the city.

Societies are in transition and this change is represented in the four change parameters. They describe the actors (people), the setting (planet), the financial systems (prosperity), and the systems capable of negotiating these processes (politics). To understand the city, all parameters have to be interpretable and dealt with in an integral approach. They form the base for an analysis that identifies a broad frame of reference. Within this base the architect can serve in the position of translator, or revolutionary; by using our environmental knowledge (meaning our understanding of cities and the mechanisms of architecture) in order to be part of professional forces trying to arrive at new social and urban structures. (2)

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The conditions in Paris are very similar in other Western urban regions. And as such the riots in the banlieus of Paris are not restricted to this area. The industrial city offered chances and an influx of migrants was expecting improved living conditions in the city compared to the rural place they left. They were willing to abandon everything they knew in their former homes, to undergo extreme conditions and social cultural dilapidation in order to provide better chances for their children.

Currently, this next generation that grew up with the idea of being the hope of improvement, is beginning to realize that no chances are available for them. Failing to find these non existing opportunities, the search place creates frustration. The problem has passed on to the children who are logically responsible for the riots.

The industrial cities of Europe originated in similar circumstances and are also similarly fainting. �None of these environmental tactics leads directly to a new social structure, No doubt. Architecture and its spaces do not change society, but through architecture and the understanding of its effect, we can accelerate processes of change under way.� (3)

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Architecture and Disjunction, Bernard Tschumi, 1996, MIT Press, Boston

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Grand Paris Paris, France

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Eiffel plaza?

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Paris, France

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city scape of mediocrity

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Paris, France

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street commerce

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Paris, France

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street talk

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Paris, France

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suburban resident

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Paris, France

suburban resident

Paris, France

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residential suburb Paris, France

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suburban appartment buildings Paris, France

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car burned out during riots Paris, France

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concrete paradise Paris, France

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trash collection unit Paris, France

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car leftovers

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Paris, France

suburban appartment building

Paris, France

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evicted appartment building Paris, France

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evicted appartment building

Paris, France

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evicted appartment Paris, France

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evicted appartment

Paris, France

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Credits

// Vision Included

research/ design/ theory bagijnhof 131 2611 an delft the netherlands +31 6 20539592 info@visionincluded.com www.visionincluded.com

Research team* Renske van Dam Albert Dijk Martijn de Geus Sean Pieters

Editing Renske van Dam Albert Dijk Martijn de Geus

Concept and graphic design Martijn de Geus

(c) 2009 * all imagery and texts copyright of Vision Included/ research team

except p60-63 and p82-85