Week 01

THE HISTORY OF THE CITY

In today's lecture we were introduced to the history of the "city", which analysed in theoretical detail what a city is, factors involved in the creation of a city and a few different types of cities.

A few interesting notes taken from the lecture:
"City" = A network, Involved Relationships, Harnesses Interaction.
Variations of Cities: Designed or Planned (mono-centric, self sustaining, concentrated city cente) and   Natural or Progressive (poly-centric, multiple cities are a network, smaller, less concentrated city centres)
A city is not designed for one person or a few people, rather for a POPULATION, thus the creation of a city cannot simply be achieved by a single person.
Architecture can have strong impacts on a city: elements within the city (eg; shopping centres, parks, etc) must be designed in context, with consideration of othera surrounding elements and roads, pedestrain traffic, topography, etc.
I found the discussion on the evolution of "revolutions" interesting, generally there are four main revolutions:
1. Commercial Revolution: Changed city structure due to trade, markets, banks, business, etc
2. Industrial Revolution: Changed city structure due to use of: factories (leading to pollution), transport, importance of night-life.
3. Technical Revolution: Cities are moulded for use of cars: as a result houses are moved further away from CBD, wider roads to accomdate traffic, etc.
4. I.T Revolution: Internet takes place of common things: shopping, transport, banking, parking: as a result, reduces need to malls, offices, etc.

REFLECTION

For our first reflection to go into our journal entry, we were asked to write three comments on the images seen below. I find it interested how the perception of the building can change depending on the angle and distance the building can be seen, and my comments are as follows:    

1. This building seemed to serves as a clearly identifiable structure -  landmark to locals and its surrounding environment.
2. Its moderist facade and enlarged proportions add confident character to a seemingly aging and mediocre town. I do not feel this building compliments its surrounding context.
3. Its geographic location and land use amongst a hilly/mountanous area may suggest the building is located in Europe. The building seems to be centred in a popular area, situated centrally to adjacent buidlings with a generous public space opening toward a lake setting. The surrounding houses and buildings seem to be humbled by the large structure, however there is a sense of acceptance to the new building with a continued condensed use of space.

 Upon further research after the lecture, I have identified the building to be Casino Municipale, which is located in Italy.

The evolving stages of city centres and the adaptation of new revolutions is both interesting and shocking. I wonder what the citites of our future will become. I feel technology although aids incredibility to the quality of life today, it will soon result in cities with a lack of meaning, quality and history. Its a win-lose situation where designers of todays strive to adhere to the growing demands of convenience through technology, and as a result are possibly and indirectly degrading our cities, and our world.