In light of increasing urbanisation, the professorship examines the challenges and opportunities of global transformations of the city, its urban phenomena, habitats and infrastructures. We are dedicated to the observation of technological innovations, cultural idiosyncrasies and unusual, emerging patterns of living. In this context, we are interested in ideas for tomorrow to find answers to the questions of today.
The future is unavoidable – so how do you want to shape it?
BASIC UNDERSTANDING
On the occasion of an anniversary address at the Dutch Architectural Institute (NAI) in Rotterdam, the Dutch architect Herman Hertzberger expressed the connection between architecture and the city. He said, “If the door opens inwards, then it’s architecture; and if the door opens outwards, then it’s the city”. We follow the example of a revolving door to understand the urban design issues and the architectural details at the same time.
FOCAL POINTS
The research and the teaching in the department focus on the development of innovative urban design instruments through the consideration of urban and social development. Urban planning is a platform on which a wide variety of parameters and concerns are dealt with in order to allow for the legitimisation and organisation of architecture. We work in an interdisciplinary environment while maintaining the highest standards. Our goal is the exemplary development of situations, the design of (urban) spaces and the development of architectural prototypes.
Previous focal points have been the examination of higher-density settlement patterns and sustainable urban planning principles, affordable living within a wider urban context, cities and the climate, the densification of cities, rural spaces and the development of future scenarios.
FUTURE QUESTIONS IN TEACHING
The planners and architects of tomorrow need to be competent, skilful and qualified, blaze their own trails and even author their individual careers. To begin with, the foundation is solid fundamental knowledge in order to be able to act within the context of the city and, then, to be able to take a stance on important questions in urban development and social trends.
The topical research, the experience of real situations, urban planning analysis, the development of prototypes and urban design form the elementary course content for the design studios. The goal, alongside the transfer of knowledge, is for the students to develop their own critical position in order to seize opportunities and explore unknown territory. The teaching responsibilities include the communication of the fundamentals of urban and landscape planning design in the bachelor’s programme and the advanced application of the basic knowledge using assignments taken from the real world in the master’s programme.
You can’t find a new land with an old map.
Quotes: Frisch, Prahalad, Hertzberger