Mailing address: ETH Zürich – Institut für Städtebau
HIL – Wolfgang-Pauli-Str.15 – 8093 Zürich
Visiting address: ETH Zürich – Institut für Städtebau
ONA G 41 – Neunbrunnenstrasse 50 – 8050 Zürich
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VERTICAL CITIES ASIA - Urban Statistics 01 Prof. Kees Christiaanse, Prof. A. Brillembourg, Prof. H. Klumpner | Ass. Nicolas Kretschmann, Ass. Michael Contento |Thursday, 16.00-18.00, HIL H 40.4 Plaza | Introduction: 22. September
In the face of rapid global urbanization, it is necessary to fully understand the conditions and implications of urban density. Research in this course will include collecting data and building critical analysis in various cities in order to more fully understand the meaning of urban density and to its conditions both quantitatively and qualitatively. This is not a course to simply provide numbers; it is a course in which students will build powerful comparative analysis in order to translate statistics into essential tools. Analysis must go beyond the simple act of collecting data to serve as a strong foundation for innovative and intelligent urban futures. As such, information should not be considered as an end, or as a set of static numbers, but rather as a set of operative tools to be used in future design processes.
Research will focus on the catalysts, drivers, and evolution of high-density areas and their associated urban dynamics. It is the task of participants to build thorough understandings of urban density and to translate them into effective tools in order to develop an agency for action.
This is the first in a series of research courses that will develop a comprehensive body of knowledge concerning high-density in the contemporary city. It is the auxiliary course for the annual “Vertical Cities Asia” design competition studio, held each spring semester, and will provide the necessary research base for designs. The course offers 15 urban areas of study; participants will form into teams of 2-3 students, and each team will analyze one city. Semester classes will be held in 5 condensed sessions, each Thursday from 22.09.2011 – 20.10.2011. At the conclusion of the Wahlfach, we will offer “Vertical Cities Asia – Urban Statistics” as a Wahlfacharbeiten for interested students. This is an opportunity to focus research on specific topics concerning high density – an opportunity to continue building on the foundation of on-going critical analysis.