UIA 2014 Special Projects Publication

SPECIAL
PROJECTS
SPECIAL
Editor
Amira Osman
Design and Layout

Garth Walker
Hein Jonker
PROJECTS
UIA2014 DURBAN Architecture OTHERWHERE
UIA 2014 DURBAN SAIA-APPOINTED SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE: CORE MEMBERS AND ADVISORS
Amira Osman, Associate Professor, Architecture, University of Johannesburg and UIA General Reporter
is a National Research Foundation (NRF) rated researcher and SACAP-registered Professional
Architect. As the UIA 2014 General Reporter, she heads the Scientific Committee which has a core
team appointed by the South African Institute of Architects (SAIA). This core team have acted as
advisors in the academic process:
Mokena Makeka, Director, Makeka Design Lab, Founder of The Museum of Design Innovation
Leadership & Art, South Africa (MoDILA) and Adjunct Professor, GSAPP Columbia University New York
and Resident Equity Scholar, School of Architecture and Planning, University of the Witwatersrand.
Hilton Judin, Architect and Curator, Cohen & Judin Architects and Adjunct Professor, School of
Architecture & Planning, University of the Witwatersrand, Curator, blank_architecture apartheid and
after.
Mphethi Morojele, Owner and Founder, MMA Design Studio, Johannesburg and Lecturer, University
of Witwatersrand and Curator, South African exhibition, International Architecture Exhibition of the
Venice Biennale and at the RIBA; past President of the Gauteng Institute of Architects.
UIA 2014 DURBAN GENERAL REPORTER-APPOINTED SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE: MEMBERS AND

EDITORS
The UIA 2014 Durban General Reporter has appointed three people to the UIA 2014 Scientific
Committee, two of whom are the editors of the Scientific Committee publications:
Gerhard Bruyns is Assistant Professor of Environment and Interior Design, School of Design, Hong
Kong Polytechnic University and Executive Team member of the International Forum on Urbanism
(IFOU), Scientific Board Member of the African Studies Centre, Leiden and collaborator with CP,
Arquitectura, Urbanismo, Investigacion. He was previously at the Faculty of Architecture, Delft
University of Technology’s [TU Delft].
Clinton Aigbavboa, Department of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying, University of

Johannesburg, holds a masters’ degree in Construction Management and a PhD degree in Engineering
Management. He is a well published researcher. He is currently the editor of the Journal of Construction
Project Management and Innovation.
UIA 2014 DURBAN SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

Ahmed Vawda, Andrew Makin, Bridget Horner, Eric Noir, Geci Karuri-Sebina, George Kunihiro (UIA
Region IV), Janina Masojada, Jean Bosco Todjinou (UIA Region V), João, Belo Rodeia, Jonathan Edkins,
Karel Bakker, Linda Mampuru, Luciano Lazzari (UIA Region I), Moleleki Frank Ledimo, Noeleen Murray,
Phil Mashabane, Rodney Harber, Roger Schluntz (UIA Region III), Zeynep Ahunbay (UIA Region II)
4
UIA 2014 DURBAN ORGANISATION COMMITTEE

Hassan Asmal, Karen Eicker, Amira Osman, Peter du Trevou, Jan Ras, Trish Emmett, Nina Saunders,
Obert Chakarisa, Fanuel Motsepe, Dhaneshwar Basdew, Jean Jacques Kotto, Victor Miguel.
UIA 2014 DURBAN SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME SUPPORT

The UIA 2014 General Reporter was supported by Gill Slaughter, Kerry FIrmani (both from Turners
Conferences) and Nomfundo Nxumalo, Nikita Andrews (both appointed assistants to the General
Reporter). They were instrumental to the success of the process.
5
UIA 2014 DURBAN CONGRESS SPECIAL PAPERS AND PROJECTS

Publisher UIA 2014 DURBAN
© UIA 2014 DURBAN
UIA 2014 DURBAN CONGRESS SPECIAL PAPERS AND PROJECTS
1. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the
written permission of the copyright holder.
2. Applications for the copyright holder’s written permission to reproduce any parts of this
publication should be addressed to the UIA 2014 Organisation Committee.
3. No responsibility is assumed by the publishers or the authors of individual papers for any
damage to property or persons as a result of operation or use of this publication and/or the
information enclosed herein.
4. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers and editors,
neither do they endorse or guarantee any claims made by the authors of these papers and
special projects. The reader should therefore verify the applicability of the information or
particular situations and check the references prior to any reliance thereupon.
DISCLAIMER
While every effort is made to ensure accuracy in this publication, the publishers and editors make no
representation, express or implied, with regard to the accuracy of the information contained in these
proceedings and cannot accept any legal responsibility or liability in whole or in part for any errors or
omissions that may be made.
DECLARATION
These published papers included in this publication are not a part of the double-blind peer review
prublications. They are clearly distinguished from the peer-reviewed Congress Proceedings. It is
important to read the UIA 2014 Categories of Participation for Authors and Presenters to understand
this publication in the context of the other Congress categories.
6
UIA 2014 CATEGORIES OF PARTICIPATION FOR AUTHORS AND PRESENTERS

The various CATEGORIES OF PARTICIPATION for authors and presenters are presented as follows:
a) ABSTRACT PUBLICATION AND PRESENTATION. This group of participants were notified of
acceptance of their abstracts. The abstract was published in the BOOK OF ABSTRACTS and
a time slot was provided in the OFFICIAL CONGRESS PROGRAMME for presentation in a
thematically relevant parallel scientific presentation stream.
b) authors who failed to submit a full paper were automatically considered for this option based
on the outcome of the abstract review process.
c) full papers submitted, but not accepted for publication in the proceedings, were also
automatically considered for this option.
d) FULL PAPER PUBLICATION AND PRESENTATION. This group of participants submitted full
papers for review and the papers have been deemed competent for inclusion in both the
BOOK OF ABSTRACTS as well as the CONGRESS PROCEEDINGS (digital publication only).
The author was also be allocated a time slot in the OFFICIAL CONGRESS PROGRAMME.
e) SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS. While some papers were not accepted for inclusion in the
proceedings, they were assessed to be of interest and have therefore been compiled in
a special and separate publication. These authors were advised by the UIA 2014 General
Reporter to present within special sessions or presentation slots. This was managed on a
case-by-case basis.
All categories were asked to adhere to the UIA 2014 Durban INSTRUCTIONS FOR AUTHORS
strictly.
7
THE ROLE OF THE ARCHITECT & THE ‘ART OF THE DEAL’

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENTS__THE REAL DEAL (ISSUE)
Ian Alexander, SAIA Practice Committee, Tshwane University of Technology, Gauteng, South Africa,
ianalexander@telkomsa.net
1. The Role of the Architect
The architectural professional is the central entity of the professional team, is the design vanguard
fulfilling the role of creative interpreter to the expressed need to build, making proposals to meet the
intention and to guide this creative process to a successful conclusion.
The architectural professional is involved through the full term of the “building delivery process” and
is authorised by the client in a contract of agency to instruct the other building professionals and the
contractors.
The Architectural Professional performs the central design role of the project and has “total project
comprehension”; [Prof. Andre de Villiers 2003] incorporates the design contribution of the other
professionals into the project and guides the process to fulfill the overall intention.
This service involves fulfilling the role of “Architect”, “Principal Consultant” and “Principal Agent” and
represents the service provided for by SACAP, in their Guideline Fee for a “standard service”.
The Architect is contracted for the performance of professional duties and act within the ethics and
standards of the profession.
Furthermore the duties provide for the design of building(s) to comply with the conditions of title,
applicable legislation, town planning codes and building regulations: the expectation is that the
architect will adopt procedures and methods suited to the agreed scope and complexity and the
nature, time scale of the project
The Professional Code of Conduct published by SACAP, Board Notice 154/2009
An Architectural Professional is expected to address in writing (and agree) with their client with regard
to these aspects of an appointment before work is commenced
1. The Scope of the work (project) is to be defined

2. The agreed service the architect is to provide, that is, a standard service or a partial service:
That is, the ‘Scope of Service’
3. The fees payable for the services: defining the basis, a Cost Based Fee, Time Based Fee or Lump
sum, the method of calculating these, payment, (including agreed interim payment)
4. Disbursements incurred on the project are due and payable
5. The budget for the work or other cost limit for the project, work or service, and the method of
estimating costs
6. How the architect’s responsibilities are limited
7. A provision for termination of the appointment
8. Provisions for dispute resolution
9. Advise value & limits to Professional Indemnity insurance
The SACAP Code of Conduct falls short of requiring that the parties enter into a Professional Service
Agreement, in which the appointment is subject to Terms and Conditions, as provided for instance, in
the current South African Institute of Architects, SAIA, Client Architect Agreement.
8
The stages provided for architect’s services indicate the professional services common for all projects.
The signatories to the agreement decide which services are required, applicable to the project, and
decide on additional services where these are requested.
The architect is authorised to act as agent for the client, and fulfils an architect’s service using current
standard forms of contract and procedures viewed generally as usual in the building industry (such as
the JBCC suite of contract documentation)
For the construction stage of a project, the relationship between the client, contractor and architect
as agent, or principal agent are confirmed in the building agreement.
The Architect provides an Architect’s Service in a highly constrained environment as a result of,
amongst other factors, the wide range of interacting legislative provisions and economic controls.
Most design objectives, and by implication criteria, are today governed by prescriptive norms, codes
and legislation and energy usage targets and evaluation.
In South Africa the advent of new legislation such as the Consumer Protection Act and the Occupational
Health and Safety Act have to be considered responsibly as these are further constraints, and impact
on the provision of services particularly where a partial service is requested. The New National Building
Regulations have been welcomed, particularly incorporating the definition of client responsibilities,
and providing both energy provisions and usage goals.
2. The Context for the Architect’s Service
The client appoints the architect to provide a professional architect’s service for a project as
contemplated by the Architectural Professions Act, Act No 44 of 2000 and the National Building
Regulations and Building Standards Act No 103 of 1977. The architect accepts the appointment
to exercise reasonable professional skill, care and diligence in the performance of obligations and
responsibilities accepted in terms of an agreement, for the fee as set out in the agreement.
3. Professional Service Agreements (PSAs)
There is a reluctance amongst architects to contract properly for their services, why this should be the
case is difficult to understand, as being Professionals and operating Businesses, it should be apparent
to them that establishing an appropriate ‘Business Arrangement’ is their main imperative.
To what extent this is a world – wide phenomenon is not readily known, except to say that the Australian
example, [as in RAIA] which is most commendable, to broadcast the advantage of ‘BALANCED and
INSURABLE’ Professional Service Agreements. Their document constitutes a fair description of the
principles involved and these are set out for the guidance of architects and the public. (The public as
consumers of the architect’s services).
Architects appear to believe that such PSA documents are ‘threatening’ to such an extent that they fail
to perceive the need and fail to protect themselves, by using documents prepared by their voluntary
associations
It appears that the majority of our architects use self generated documents or rely solely on an
exchange of letters as the basis of an agreement. The fact that such arrangements are totally
inadequate, and the resultant additional risk seems to be insufficient to persuade practitioners to
contract properly: in so doing they fail to: –
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1. Comply with the ‘Code of Conduct’

2. Establish a proper ‘Business Arrangement’ (which covers the responsibilities and obligations of
the service)
3. Establish their ‘Authority’ to act as the Client’s Agent
4. Protect themselves by reducing the term of ‘Professional Liability’
5. Use ‘Dispute Resolution’ as the basis to resolve disagreement
The simple example of the illustration below that the Architect is not selling a visible product at the
time of the appointment being confirmed, but that the product can be described as ‘Ascertainable’,
resulting from the defined intention of the Parties: the elements of the Law of Contract provide for the
Parties to be definite and serious in their intention. Why this does this not encourage Architects to use
appropriate forms of contract is of particular concern, when it is fair to hypothesize that the overall
term of the relationship with a Client can be suggested to be 3 years plus a further 5 years (of Liability)
4. Specific PSAs
CAA__2008
The South African Institute of Architects has a Client Architect Agreement, known as CAA __ 2008,
which is a Professional Service Agreement, composed by SAIA. This is readily available and adequate,
although now subject to review arising from ‘evolving needs’. These changes often constitute additional
obligations on the professionals, resulting in evolving constraints of practice.
PROCSA
The need was perceived in the year 2000 to generate a Professional Services Agreement, that could
be described as ’generic’, that is ‘One Set of Terms and Conditions’ for all disciplines. The drafting
committee was formed of the main Built Environment Professionals that is, the BEPs, and has worked
continuously for more than 13 years. A particular advantage is that the South African Property Owners
Association (SAPOA) has been included in the drafting committee, so that early consultation has
been the hallmark of the agreement.
Three editions have been published, with the current edition 3, with a small adjustment, now known
as 3.1 published only in ‘electronic format’. The main intention has been to provide Clients with one
set of ‘Terms and Conditions’, for all the disciplines. At this time 14 services are provided for with a
number in the pipeline
The intention has been that the PROCSA documents are intended for use in the case of ‘Multi –
disciplinary’ projects: it is however used for smaller projects:
A new ‘Architect’s Agreement is being developed specifically for use for the majority of projects, where
there is no Project Manager.
This document is proving popular, the format provides for 3 aspects of a PSA: the Terms and Conditions,
the Services of the service provider and the Schedule (or Variables) specific to the contract.
Not only does it list the services which are ‘broadly required’ for all contracts, it allows for Services
to be added or removed. There is a remarkable advantage to the listing of services, and this is that,
in addition to the Services, a set of ‘Deliverables’ is listed, again with deliverables to be added or
removed.
The document is being used fairly widely in Africa and it is possible that a wider usage may arise.
A particular advantage is that, being available only in electronic format, the documents can be
‘collaborated’ through the Parties and Entities involved and their input can be obtained electronically,
with many resulting advantages.
10
One significant enterprise of PROCSA has been the drafting of a definition of the responsibilities
which the Client must undertake. In the process the definition of a ‘new agent’s’ service has been
developed, known as the ‘Development Manager’. We believe that this is the first time that the Client’s
responsibilities have been described, anywhere. The definition of the Development Manager is “an
agent’s service to be appointed by the Client, if required”: the intention being that the Client can
undertake these responsibilities ‘in – house’ or if they cannot, they appoint another agent for this
service. The advantage of defining this separate service avoids the circumstance where many of these
obligations have previously been devolved onto the Professional Team without remuneration.
What is even more significant is that PROCSA has listed responsibilities for the Development Manager
in a stage before the Professional Services for the Project itself begins: this we have named ‘Stage
Zero’ (“0”) The stages for projects in South Africa having been agreed as Stages 1 through 6.
‘Stage Zero’ is the period in which ‘the Client decides to build’, and needs to inform the process, by
appointing agents who will assist the necessary decision making. (Prior to the Project commencement
proper) In this case also, there are ‘Services’ described and ‘Deliverables’ to which in each case can be
added to or subtracted from.
The agreed Stages of Work described above as stages 1 through 6 with respect to which services are
provided are: –
1. Inception
2. Concept and Viability
3. Design Development
4. Documentation and Procurement
5. Construction
6. Close – out
Another aspect of the PROCSA suite of documents is the MATRIX Document. This was deemed a
necessary exercise in the Final Drafting process to review the Services of all the Agents, as being
performed concurrently. The MATRIX is available as a PROCSA document and is useful as a ‘Library
Document’ particularly, to assist the processes of the Principal Consultant and / or Principal Agent
and Project Manager, as a tool to manage the delivery of Services by the Other Consultants
The advantage offered by the PROCSA Suite of Service Agreements is that they constitute, ‘Consensus
Documents’, where the disciplines have jointly agreed the Terms and Conditions and the appropriate
services to be performed. This, it is proposed, presents a real opportunity to obtain respect from
Clients and for proper contracting, with these PSA Agreements being ‘Contracts of Agency’.
5. Client relationships
In South Africa there has been a real threat to Architects as a result of the broadly allowed ‘Risk Work’
whereby there has been no security for the Professionals involved, as to receiving remuneration for
their services at all.
The development of the PSAs has been a sincere attempt by the Voluntary Associations to change the
mindset involved: clearly one aspect is that ‘Risk Work’ can be a form of Marketing of your practice,
however the threats are real.
In a further endeavour to address the ‘Risk Work’ debacle and in the rewriting of the SAIA Practice
Manual, it was concluded that the architect does not write to the Client confirming the appointment,
but after contact from the Client, the Architect writes a letter which is an ‘Offer to provide Architect’s
Services’, and quotes the Service and the (appropriate) Professional Fee. On acceptance agreement is
established and the Parties enter into a proper PSA.
11
This has resulted in a new approach, ensconced in a letter described as: –
“OFFER TO PROVIDE INITIAL PROJECT SERVICES FOR DEFERRED REMUNERATION”
The purpose being, as no other Professionals ‘work for no remuneration’ to make it clear that
Architects do not either. However, a basis for provision of services for a period during which finances
are procured, the offer sets out the quantum and the related time frame, and provides for specific
Terms and Conditions. This letter is accompanied by a ‘Practice Note’ which elucidates how the letter
is expected to be used (the letter is available in a ‘Word Format’ and can be changed and adapted to
particular circumstance).
An aspect of an Architect’s circumstance is that there are ‘Good’ and ‘Bad’ Clients. The ‘Good’ Clients
are those who intend to keep the building(s) being developed, whereas ‘Bad’ Clients are those who
intend selling on (for a profit) and are effectively only multiplying the value of the land. The ‘Bad’
Clients will not listen to ‘Life – cycle’ costing or ‘Value Engineering’ and the result is underserviced
buildings which are poor and require extensive maintenance.
Because of the threat that dealing with these and other difficult Clients presents, it is essential to have
as foundation, the establishment of Balanced, equitable and Insurable Client / Architect Agreements.
[RAIA]
6. Business Arrangement
It would not be unreasonable to suggest that the Client would respect an Architect who presents a
form of ‘Business Arrangement‘ in the form of a proper PSA, which sets the Terms and Conditions
for a significant enterprise, whereby the Architect, as the contracted Party for the Architect’s Service,
does not deliver the Final product (delivered by the Building Contractor).
7. Authority of the Agent
In the South Africa the usual form of Building Contract, which is also a ‘consensus’ document, we
define the role of a ‘Principal Agent’ who is authorised to Act in Terms of the Contract as the Agent
of the Client, this amounts to having the authority to issue contract instructions and to delegate that
authority to other agents as appropriate to their service. This naturally is the role of the agent in
Stages 5 and 6, being ‘Construction’ and ‘Close out’ and gave rise to the need for another service to
be described, being ‘Principal Consultant’, defined as ‘leading’ the other consultants. In this role it is
also necessary to establish the Authority of the Client, as the Architect in the role of ‘leading the other
consultants’, gives instructions as to how those agent’s services are incorporated into the building,
with cost effects for which the Client must pay.
Indeed, in the initial formation of the Client’s Brief, the Architect plays a role of ‘leading the Client’
and in providing solutions to meet the expressed need, results in leading the Client to accept a design
solution with resultant cost, for which the Architect needs authority. (In some senses, the architect as
agent, is the Client, and certainly represents the Client)
8. Responsibility and Liability
There are many levels of responsibility in undertaking an Architect’s Service, and these need to be
limited to aspects of the service which are the direct responsibility of the Architect. The Architect
can in no way be responsible for the Services of other Agents; neither can they be responsible for the
obligations that the contractor undertakes. (There are more necessary limits).
When an Architect, by way of error and omission or un-professional conduct, causes harm or loss, the
architect becomes liable, as the responsibilities undertaken have not been properly fulfilled. If this
results in harm or loss to the contractor(s) the Client must hold the Architect blameless, pay for the
12
loss or damage, and will have a claim against the architect in terms of their PSA.
This is because the architect is ‘out of contract’ with the contractor’ and subject to the Law of Delict,
for which no Professional Indemnity Insurance will protect the Professional.
If this is not dealt with in the contracts, the Architect becomes directly Liable to the contractor, without
PI protection, and must pay for the loss and /or damage in the capacity of individual or practice. If the
architect does not have a PSA which covers these aspects (and many more) the Architect is Liable. It
can be concluded that it is impossible to cover these issues in an exchange of letters or even in most
individually drafted agreements. It can be suggested that most Architects are not aware of this threat.
Changes to Professional Service Agreements, many of them Client generated, or by amendment

to other forms of PSAs, should not unreasonably increase the architect’s liability for the services
provided, beyond that required at law.
9. The EDGE
The Architectural Profession is surely one of the most satisfying professions; it gives great joy, but can
be beset with significant disasters.
Architectural Professionals should be required, in no uncertain terms, to contract properly, as in so

doing both their Clients and the Built Environment will be protected. This will provide security for the
Professional Architects, and once freed from the cares of ‘will the Client pay me’ and their liability
limited, they can: –
Get the … Business Arrangement
‘agreed and signed’, so that they can get on with the
Business of Architecture
Architects have a distinct Edge, or EDGES
The Creative Edge
The role of the ‘Creative Interpreter’ is solely theirs, and this needs to be carried out responsibly, to
prosper the built environment and the people that use it

The Building Delivery Process Edge, being ….
‘No one can really work until architects have worked’
10. What do I need to do to earn my money?
It is of further concern that principles of Business Practice seem to elude many Professional Architects,
in that they: –

Do not know what is needed to be done to earn their fees
Do not understand their Costs
Do not do cost projections
Do not do income projections
Do not know where their skills lie (what they do well)
Do not know which kind of projects they are particularly skilled at
Do not realize that complex projects require special skills
Have not analyzed their market
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Do not market their practice adequately

Do not have a good staff structure of reliable people
Do not know how to present to Clients
Do not know to negotiate, what is negotiable, where the bottom line is
It seems that the world is moving into an era when Guideline Fees are likely to totally disappear. In
South Africa the Professional Fees Guideline has not been published for more than two years. The
consequence is a move to follow the first world where fees will be totally negotiable, and the onus will
be on the Practitioner to work from their cost base, which they need to fully interpret and understand.
Architects need to ‘Design’, “The Art of the Deal”, which is their preparation to be fully resourced and
prepared to present Their Deal to Clients and to command respect for their Business Acumen and the
way they offer their services, and to be Confident of their Competence. It is not unusual in business
for the question to be asked, ’what is the deal’? Practitioners need every advantage they can muster,
to present their deal, understanding what they need to do, and what it costs to provide their service.
11. In every kind of business ….
In every kind of business there are ‘Terms and Conditions’, the simplest of transactions are recorded
and there are Terms & Conditions. Just for example buying a Coca Cola there are Terms and Conditions,
what are they?
1. It must be the recognizable product in a recognizable container

2. The container must be sealed
3. The product must be cold , nobody buys a warm coke, to drink now
4. The price must be right
5. A record of the transaction, required by law
The extent of the relationship and the ‘business arrangement’ which it is emphasized above, mean
that we need to look after ourselves, and our client, by entering into a sound PSA in which there is a
balanced allocation of risk and of ‘Rights and Obligations’
Without managing ourselves properly, Architects cannot face these challenges, stand back, and
leave opportunity for others to exploit. It is for example clear that with continuing development of
electronic techniques and equipment, the Role of the Architect, in addition to the Design Role, will be
to effectively manage the Building Delivery Process
Ian Alexander 2014 – 06 – 16

B. Arch (UCT) 1964__Pr. Arch 887__RIBA 27895 1968__SAIA 2443__PIA AL 0002
Bibliography
SACAP Act 44 of 2000 establishing the SA Council for the Architectural Profession
SACAP Code of Conduct: Board Notice 154 of 2009
SACAP Professional Fees Guideline: Board Notice 194 of 2011
SACAP Framework for the Professional Fees Guideline: Board Notice 195 of 2011
SAIA Practice Manual
SAIA Client Architect Agreement
PROCSA Professional Client consultant Professional Service Agreements
RAIA __ Balanced and Insurable Client Architect Agreements
Royal Architectural Institute of Canada: Determining Appropriate Fees
14
CHANDIGARH FROM THE EYES OF AN INSIDER: AN APPROACH TO DISCOVER THE PSYCHO-

SOCIAL INTEGRITY OF THE INDIAN LIFESTYLE IN AN ARCHITECTURALLY CONTROLLED
ENVIRONMENT
Anandita, Chandigarh College of Architecture, India, Anandita.cca@Gmail.com
Abstract
Chandigarh, independent India's first planned city, famed French architect Le Corbusier's professional
milestone, is an open laboratory. The city's architecture is an ongoing experiment where planners
continue to learn the relationship between the built mass and the ecosystem evolving in it.
All ecosystems show a level of resistance to any new environment, though soon end up adapting and
harmonizing with the new realities. Often, the cultural landscape is a major factor that determines its
progress and facilitates the existence of the various species.
In terms of the modern architectural world, an ecosystem is dependent on the socio-cultural and
economic set up of the society. Any building, community or city is human(e) enough only if it gives its
inhabitants the space to grow and regenerate.
Chandigarh is one such outstanding example in the modern world. It has well established itself to be
a breeding ground for the Indian culture, the rugged north Indian culture, that has over the last five
decades lent in every possible way for adaption to the vision and ideologies set by a foreign planner
and architect.
Metamorphosis of a social pattern is indeed an interesting concept that can be studied by observing
Chandigarh. It clearly portrays the inter-relationship of human life and architecture, the values that
are integrated into the lifestyle by a different architectural style given to them by a visionary of a
different social setup.
A study of Chandigarh, is not only study of a master architect's work, is an ongoing experiment to
evaluate the impact of this world class architecture on a culture which is vastly different. It is also a
study of how the architecture has evolved and impacted by local practices and sensitivities, and has
incorporated the cultural ethos of the ecosystem it needs to sustain.
Keywords: Chandigarh, grid iron plan, resilience, urban scenario, ecosystems, chaupal, climatology.
INTRODUCTION
Chandigarh, independent India’s first planned city came into existence in 1958. It is often also
considered master architect Le Corbusier’s professional milestone. As of date, in today’s architectural
scenario, it is considered as an open laboratory with an ongoing experiment to study the co-existence
of two very different phenomenons, one, the presence of planning concepts that have revolutionised
the urban planning theories and second the very vibrant culture of north India. The presence of these
two very distinct ideologies makes this city unique in its own way. The city’s architecture has inspired
architects and planners from across the globe to continue to learn the relationship between the built
mass and the eco system evolving in it.
Chandigarh, better known as the City Beautiful, is the brainchild of Independent India’s first Prime
Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. It was envisioned as the country’s first step towards modernism,
free of any colonial or imperial thoughts. A city that would provide for a peaceful and harmonious
environment to the people who had already gone through a very traumatic period of partition. Adding
to the emotional wounds were the bruises caused by the loss of property and loved ones. The only
hope that these refugees had was of a bright future the country had to offer post-independence. It
was more than a necessity for the then Prime Minister to provide for social security and basic facilities
15
to its people. Hence, the only answer to all these problems was to establish a city free of all prejudices
and that would serve as a benchmark for the future in terms of development.
The city was not just a revolutionary concept in his head, but the concept was given form in an
unimaginable way, going by the standards of that time. The country was suffering from economic,
political and social upheaval; therefore a need for a revolution to kick start development and growth
was inevitable. Chandigarh came across as that perfect solution. The trust and social security was
restored in the minds of the people as the city gave the people their land, peace and most importantly
a respectful social life.
The planning of the city was handed over to Albert Mayer and Mathew Nowicki. Unfortunately, Nowicki
died in an airplane accident and Mayer too withdrew from the project and therefore the project was
handed over to the master architect Le Corbusier.
Figure 2: The plan of the city
Figure 1: Le Corbusier with the grid iron plan of

the city.
Le Corbusier reconsidered the superblock model of the Albert Mayer plan and came up with a grid iron
planning for the city taking in account the physical features of the site. Since the site was resting next
to the Shivalik Foothills, Corbusier got a natural feature to compliment his planning concepts. The city
was designed with the fundamental rule that it had to function like a human body. This was achieved
by keeping the functions just like they are placed in the human body. The brain or the mind of the city
i.e. the secretariat is placed on the top while the city centre is placed in the centre which is supposed
to be the heart of the city. The roads are seen as the various arteries that carry the basic essence of
life. Beyond these functions, the hands of the city are placed on the east and west side, the industrial
zone and the educational hub respectively.
Since the city is based on the concept of grid iron plan, it has rectangular blocks that are the living
zones of the city. These sectors were planned in such a manner that they are self-sustaining blocks
that serve for the daily needs of their residents. These sectors are well equipped with services like a
market strip, school, medical aids and religious institutions. Also each one has a green strip passing
through it moving north to south accompanied by smaller green parks and gardens. These strips were
incorporated as breathing zones for the city to cope with the stress of urban pressure and pollution.
The city has grown in every possible aspect; size and population. The needs of the people have changed
from what it was designed for. The city has grown with these changing needs and has very well kept up
with the basic motto behind its existence i.e. to be a modern city. It has only complimented the very
vibrant culture of north India in every possible. The city has stuck by the theory of resilience in the
urban scenario through these last six decades of its existence in a developing nation.
Resilience
Resilience in the urban scenario is defined as the “capability to prepare for, respond to, and recover
from significant multi-hazard threats with minimum damage to public safety and health, the economy,
and security” of a given urban area. Resilience in simple words can also be defined as coming back to a
16
new normal while retaining the basic essence and character. This can be seen as coping with any kind
of hazards be it natural calamities or man-made threats. Man-made threats can range from changes
that lead to loss of the character of the city to events that are a counter reaction of the actions of
the human race over a period of time. Resilience can be studied in various urban scenarios where
the architecture and the urban design have constantly evolved in accordance with the eco systems
dwelling in it. Chandigarh, as mentioned before is one such example that is perfect to study the
impact of culture on architecture and vice versa.
The study of Chandigarh is an attempt to understand the psycho-social integrity of the Indian lifestyle,
regenerating in the vision of a foreign planner/architect. Even after more than half a century of its
existence, Chandigarh’s perfection is hard to match by its counterparts in recent decades. The typical
Indian community fabric was woven out of common public spaces and even the private dwellings were
made to integrate into the public informal squares. The fabric was often organic and hence the spaces
that were created were not planned or conceived, rather they were a result of human psychology.
In contrast, if we try and study Chandigarh, it is far from being organic in its planning but still it follows
the rules of organic growth when it comes to the growth and evolution of the ecosystems and the
community. Beyond the grid lines of Corbusier, there lies a world of Punjabis and various north Indians
whose basic cultural ethos is far from the European cultural of the designer of the city. The planning of
the city was initially criticized nationally for the lack of cultural essence and ethnic aesthetics. Keeping
in mind the fact that these factors were not in favour of the city, the city has shown quite a tolerance
to the ethnic groups that dwell in it. Resilience comes into play at this juncture where we see culture
and architecture cross paths. After six decades of existence, it hasn’t lost its charm and uniqueness
to the cultural spirit of the people and neither the culture of the city has ever faced a threat due to
the world class architecture that houses it. The architecture has always moulded itself with the needs
and aspirations of the people. There are a lot of spaces in the city that change their face and function
accordingly. There are numerous examples at the urban level and at the architectural level that prove
that the city is resilient towards these changes. There are examples quoted below that will help in
understanding this phenomenon.
At the urban level there are temporary changes that the city’s urban fabric witnesses. For example,
the city was planned with open squares like in the city centre and special squares for parades and
exhibitions but then these changes transform into open markets and protest grounds for the people.
The function of the space changes but the dynamic character of the space is retained and restored
through all these changes. The central plaza at the city centre takes shape of a rock show concert
ground one day and the next day it would hold a protest march while the basic essence of the plaza
was to provide for a vehicle free relaxation space for the shoppers to enjoy their day. Similarly the city
has one of the largest rose gardens that is located in the heart of the city. To satisfy the basic need
to have celebrations and festivals the city celebrates Rose Festival in February each year in order to
celebrate the roses that blossom. This is a cultural aspect that was never envisioned or planned by
the team of architects and planners. The question arises that what is the aspect that justifies the city’s
resilience? The answer again lies in the transformation of elements that were introduced to fulfil a
very basic purpose. The Jan Marg, one of the three main arteries of the city transforms itself into a
carnival ground that hosts the temporary market strip. This transformation is so smooth that the city
has adapted it into its form and the fact that the cultural needs have evolved in very ‘straight lined’
spaces is a testimony to the fact that the city is not resistive towards the culture nor too flexible to
lose its character.
Le Corbusier by the end of the Chandigarh project fell in love with the city that he wanted to now
create a relaxation space for the city residents and therefore he created the famous lake in the city
now popularly known as the Sukhna Lake. According to him, the concept behind the introduction of
this element was to have a tranquil area away from the hustle and bustle of the city. What he couldn’t
anticipate was that this part of India doesn’t really believe in relaxing alone. Again the cultural
difference is seen here. The north Indians are fond of doing everything in groups and to add on to it
very loudly. Hence, for us, the Punjabis, relaxation means collecting a bunch of friends and relatives
and having a gala time. The very tranquil lake of Le Corbusier is now seen as a spot for families and
young people as a regular picnic spot. It has very conveniently slipped into this category of space.
You can hear girls giggle in every corner or a group of young cracking jokes. Has it lost its character?
17
No. Definitely not. It still is a relaxation place for the residents; it has a charm of its own. I truly
believe that it is not exactly what the planner had desired but yet again the element has maintained
its character while incorporating cultural needs. The theory of resilience in the urban scenario is
completely justified here. As mentioned above, the very fact that the city has achieved a new normal
while depicting the original characteristics, it can be termed as resilient.
Talking at the micro level or the architectural level, the city gave its residents to choose the size of its
dwelling in any sector having provided them with almost all categories of plot sizes in all sectors. This
not only eliminated discrimination from the minds of the residents but also made the entire system
efficient. The very fact that all strata of society co-existed in the same sector ensured that the needs
were met within the sector and that everyone irrespective of their financial standing was provided
with the same amenities. This somehow brought a sense of liberation to the citizens who had suffered
immensely through the period of partition of the country. The basic need of instilling this sense of
equality and harmony in the people was fulfilled. The feeling that colonial rule and discrimination in
the society have come to an end was felt when everyone shopped in the same city centre, went to the
same gardens and studied in the same schools. While this was justified, the people still adopted the
planning concepts of the city. The “Gullies” they were so used to were absent in this modern city. The
city’s residential areas were designed long straight streets or V’s as called by Le Corbusier unlike the
organic pattern of typical Indian towns. It was majorly criticized for being so planned!
The major fallout that the residents also felt was that the informal squares or the ‘Chaupals’ (public
meeting squares generally under a tree at major cross roads in village used for village meetings and
general discussions by the residents.) were missing. The city however even adapted to this ‘sabha’
(collective meetings) culture of which its residents were so used to. No physical changes were made
to the architectural form of the city; instead the culture just crept into the veins of the city. Today
people are seen interacting in the common spaces between the dwelling units. The major festivals
in Indian culture involve community participation, hence there arises the need for huge open spaces.
The need for these huge collective spaces for community festivals is fulfilled by the green spaces that
are provided as the breathing spaces. Was this need for community space completely ignored by the
master planners? No. It was intelligently handled as he provided community halls and other similar
spaces in all the sectors.
Coming down to a unit level, the units were again designed for one and all. From one room units to
a house for the governor, was designed and planned. These units were made in accordance to a low
budget. They were however made to be well lit and ventilated since the site has extreme climates.
Though they were different from the vernacular style of building that largely follows the courtyard
planning, they allowed the inhabitants to transform the spaces as per their needs and mental
conditioning. Hence, it can be concluded that climatology has been applied to the best possible
level. One critical example that explains this transformation and flexibility needs to be understood in
this aspect; food is a huge affair for any community and especially in northern India. The traditional
cooking patterns involve using huge woks and pans and food be cooked on open flame. The kitchens
provided in the households do not allow this fashion of cooking but at the same time to counter this
problem people adapted the architecture and found a solution in the backyards of the houses. This
space provided as a private retiring zone for the family takes shape of an extended kitchen during
any festivity. Culture doesn’t feel bound or trapped by the architectural style and at the same time it
doesn’t forces the architectural fabric to change. The integrity of both the architecture and the Indian
lifestyle is maintained through this co-existence.
Another important aspect that needs careful consideration and analysis while studying this inter
relationship of architecture and culture is the study of the economic status of the society dwelling in
it. While studying Chandigarh, we need to thoroughly understand the fact that the Indian economy is
driven by small scale vendors and low cost service providers in various fields. The fact that the country
is still a developing nation implies that the society’s major chunk is still under poverty or on the border
line of poverty with low income groups. The cities are running smoothly for this group of the society.
Informal shops and service vending areas are an inevitable part of society and culture. The peddle
rickshaws, the vegetable and fruit vendors, the roadside food vendors are an indispensable part of the
city. The architecture and the spaces that were created by the foreign architects were not influenced
18
by these factors and as such this particular group of service providers. Chandigarh, as of date, has
moulded itself with the culture of these informal vendors. For example, in the last decade the city has
witnessed changes like the introduction of the cycle tracks for the peddle rickshaws and the hawkers.
The common grounds in various areas of the cities hold ‘apni mandi’ (local informal vegetable and
fruit market). The market strips of the city that are planned along the V4s of the city also showcase a
melange of these elements. Such places provide for informal interaction spaces and in turn help boost
the economy of the economically weaker sections. How is this related to resilience? The markets
are supposed to be strips of shops but as per our culturally influenced and seasoned mind set we
(north Indians) see markets as more than a strip of shops offering daily needs and services. For us
it’s a celebration of the variety we have in every possible thing. The markets are a place of social
interaction and being a part of an extended family i.e. the community. During the festivals these
markets change their dynamics and transform into an overwhelming celebration. It’s like having a
community celebration happening beyond the usual trade of commodities. And this transformation
happens almost every month for there is a major festival that frequently. The V4s retain their own
identity while also letting the culture breathe in the same stride.
These aspects of the society have only grown in the last six decades with the growth in living standards
of the people. The celebrations have become more flamboyant and extravagant and the city has kept
pace with these changes and the incurring need for space and infrastructure. The interesting point to
be noted in this process of analysis is the futuristic planning done by the master planners and the very
fact that even after six decades the city is justifying the special needs of the society. The very fact that
it is the vision that takes to justify the planning and keep into account the changes that come along
with the technological advancements in the future.
CONCLUSION
While we summarise the state of affairs for this particular piece of architecture and urban excellence
we need to understand the true meaning of resilience, resilience in the context of architecture and
urban designs and then metaphorically relate these theories in a manner that we can infer solutions
for the current problems faced by the world.
The scientific meaning of resilience is the property of a material that enables it to resume its original
shape or position after being bent, stretched, or compressed; elasticity. When we now compare it to
the urban theory we have discussed above, that it is the capability to prepare for, respond to, and
recover from significant multi-hazard threats with minimum damage to public safety and health, the
economy, and security of a given urban area. Resilience for a human being is an individual’s ability to
properly adapt to stress and adversity. Individuals demonstrate resilience when they can face difficult
experiences and rise above them with ease. To put it in nutshell we can clearly state resilience as a
characteristic feature to cope with changes, rise above them while not losing one’s identity. Chandigarh
has grown from merely a population of few thousands to more than a million people living in it today.
The growth of population and the influx of immigrants have increased the demand for infrastructure
of all kinds. Also, it means the resources and the amenities like the city centre, the recreational zones
and the basic flora and fauna are under immense stress. Coping with this level of stress generally has
been responsible for deterioration of living conditions, compromise on public facilities, pollution and
stagnation in living standards. Chandigarh seems to see none of these symptoms as of now proving
to be a successful venture that justifies its existence. It has been voted the best city to live in India
for the last few years consecutively. It has maintained its urban fabric coping with the minor stresses
that come naturally with any civilisation and township. The city has been a backbone of economic
growth, having the country’s highest per capita income. The lessons to be learnt from the city are
not just limited to the grid iron plans or the monumental architecture of the city but how to envision
growth, prosperity and development at least half a century in the future. Resilience doesn’t lie in just
maintaining the form but it truly reflects if the thought behind the structure is restored with its form.
Resilience is seen and truly felt in this Indian city.
“In Chandigarh the thought of modernism has been successfully withheld and materialised for
Chandigarh has become a culture in its own stride be it in architectural community or the North Indian
scenario.”
19
REFERENCES
Bahga, S & Bahga, S., 2014. Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret: The Indian architecture, CreateSpace.
Berkes, FJ & Colding et al., (eds) 2003. Navigating social ecological systems: Building resilience for
complexity and change, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.
Coelho, D & Ruth, M., 2006. ‘Seeking a unified urban systems theory’, Paper presented at the Fourth
International Conference on the Sustainable City, Tallinn, Estonia.
Evenson, N., 1966, Chandigarh, University of California Press, Berkeley, CA.
Kalia, R., 1999. Chandigarh: The making of an Indian city, Oxford University Press, New Delhi.
Prakash, V., 2002. Chandigarh’s Le Corbusier: The struggle for modernity in Post-colonial India,
University of Washington Press, Seattle.
20
DISTRESS ROAD TOURS: BUILDING EMPATHY ONE CONVERSATION AT A TIME
Wes Janz, Department of Architecture, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana USA, wjanz@bsu.edu
Olon Dotson, Department of Architecture, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana USA, odotson@bsu.
edu
Abstract
The Rust Belt is a place of extremes. There is too much crime and too little neighborhood organization.
High drop out rates lead to low incomes. Poor access to health care exists alongside easy access to
low nutrition foods. While differences occur, these conditions can be compared to the informality and
poverty typically associated with Africa, Latin America, and Asia. What is most relevant is that people
living difficult lives remain, whether in Johannesburg, Buenos Aires, Mumbai … or Detroit.
As educators, we feel a responsibility to connect our students with those who stay. We do this because
the students have little awareness of our most determined citizens. We do this to build empathy in our
young people. And we do this one conversation at a time in order to humanize our profession.
We explore realities and potentials in multiple venues. Two six-day road trips were conducted--the
Midwest Distress Tour (2006) and Distress Too Tour (2008). Along the way, urban pioneers introduced
themselves: Grace (Detroit), Antoine (Indianapolis), Michael (Camden), Brian and Rhonda (Flint), Myra
(East St. Louis), Hunter (Youngstown), Louis (Pittsburgh), and Violet (Philadelphia). A ‘Fourth World’
seminar considers disparities that were, are, and always will be present for the ‘other’. To better focus
our colleagues in the department of architecture, we recently authored an undergraduate minor and
a graduate certificate program in social and environmental justice. And one of us constructed the first
permanent structure in the U.S. to be authorized with a building permit and built almost exclusively
with pallets--a material system inspired by self-builders worldwide.
As we offer these journeys for consideration, we stand by our efforts to open the economic foundation
of the architecture profession to broader social and cultural influences, as we reveal more meaningful
work for our students.
Keywords:empathy, Rust Belt, post-industrial, [r]evolution, abandonment.
Michael ... Camden New Jersey, October 2008. We found Michael Orange sitting on the stoop leading
to the only intact block of brick row houses we had observed in the entire city of Camden. As we
approached, he leaped to his feet and stood his ground in a defensive yet salutary posture. Upon
inquiring about why the block (Mechanic Street between 4th and Broadway) appeared to be in better
condition than its surrounding context - a context of utter physical devastation - he responded, talking
loud. “Do you know where you are? DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE? You’re in the heart of Camden.
YOU’RE ON THE WORST BLOCK IN THE WORST CITY IN THE UNITED STATES!”
Our acknowledgement --“Yes, we understand” -- fueled a rapid fire exchange: his ten years in the
Army, an eight-year prison hitch on his resumé, three brothers murdered here, another claimed by
cancer, and the goose bumps he gets while describing Camden, which he demonstrated. A thought: If
this man scares himself describing his neighborhood, how afraid should we be? Trained to “walk point”
(the front position of a military foot patrol, sometimes drawing enemy fire) helped his survival. Soon,
Michael’s mother returned. She climbed up the stairs, then executed a 180° pivot to back through the
front door. Eyes scanning, she walked point into her home. Everybody but us was walking point.
As we stepped off, Michael said: “There’s serious creatures here, in these buildings. Don’t be fooled.”
21
The Rust Belt is the colloquial name given to the scarred landscape that stretches from central
New York State, eastern Pennsylvania, and western New Jersey westward across the coal mining
industry’s mountain top removal in West Virginia, what little remains of abandoned steel mills in Ohio
and Indiana, some of the country’s largest toxic landscapes in Michigan where ‘The Big Three’ auto
plants once hummed, to Illinois and into Wisconsin. This region, along with the most remote cities
of the former Soviet Union and parts of Eastern and Central Europe, is one of the three areas on the
planet considered to be the site of shrinking cities – dense metropolitan areas that have experienced
significant population loss.
In an earlier installment and for several earlier generations, the Rust Belt was known as the industrial
heartland of America. However, industry declined in (and departed from) the region starting in the mid-
20th century, set in motion by the transfer of manufacturing to low wage workforces in other regions
of the U.S. and the world, increased automation, the decline of the labor union movement, white flight,
and the institutionalization of racial discrimination. Many of the country’s most influential companies
founded there now flounder there (if they remain) – among them Campbell’s Soup (Camden, New
Jersey), United States Steel (Pittsburgh and Braddock, Pennsylvania and Gary, Indiana), General
Motors (Detroit and Flint, Michigan), Bethlehem Steel (Youngstown, Ohio), and the long gone Cramp’s
shipyard and Baldwin Locomotive Works (in Philadelphia, formerly the Workshop of the World).
Today, these are cities with worn out infrastructures, architectures, and residents. The people who
remain do so in places no longer of interest unless your curiosities include (in alphabetical order):
abandonment, arson, bankruptcy, broken public school systems, chronic unemployment, corruption,
declining tax base, demolition, despair, drop-out rates, early death, environmental justice issues, fear,
felonies, food deserts, foreclosures, historic segregation, homicide, “most dangerous cities in the
U.S.,” nihilism, political scandal, prostitution, receivership, ruin porn, sideways drift, and vacancy.
Some cities and lives are in the process of adapting or have adapted to these new realities -- including
Michael Orange and his mother walking point -- while many others seemingly have not. In the 2012
book Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt, Chris Hedges & Joe Sacco profile four such American
landscapes. According to Hedges, “These are sacrifice zones, areas that have been destroyed for
quarterly profit. And we’re talking about environmentally destroyed, communities destroyed, human
beings destroyed, families destroyed.” Camden caught the authors’ attention, again quoting Hedges:
“It’s a dead city… There’s nothing left. There is no employment. Whole blocks are abandoned. The
only thing functioning are open-air drug markets, of which there are about a hundred. And you’re
talking third or fourth generation of people trapped in these internal colonies. They can’t get out.”
----------
Myra … Once upon a time, East St. Louis, Illinois was a boomtown (the memory feels like a fairy tale).
Then, it was home to Armour and Swift stockyards and meatpacking plants, with bustling brewing and
baking industries across the river. In 2006 and again in 2009 we saw widespread vacancy and boarding,
with ruins of houses not hauled away, some bounded by chain link fences, but more commonly open
and available for scavenge and use as playgrounds for small, unsupervised children. These are house
piles … houses so long abandoned that nature is pulling them back to the earth.
In 2012 we returned and met Myra Coates, who led a volunteer effort to clean up the long-gone
Booker T. Washington Cemetery in nearby Centreville. Dedicated in 1903, the cemetery was once
one of the only places African-Americans in St. Clair County could be buried. It holds the remains of
5,000 former slaves, veterans, and over 500 babies that died in a flu epidemic in the 1940s. Untended
for decades, it became a dumping ground. We observed tires, appliances, and auto parts that had
been indiscriminately tossed over the memories of loved ones, in a place historically defined by
discrimination. Myra got involved. And she took us there, dedicated to her work, the families of those
interred, and to common decency.
"We have to do something,” added Jen Barr of nearby Belleville. “As humanity, something has to be
done.”
22
The language of educators and education administrators is rich in titles for learning experiences
outside the classroom: critically responsive community-based learning, directed field excursions,
higher education ethics learning, incorporated experience, and social pedagogy in action among them.
We prefer something simpler: road tour.
We prefer 8-person vans to the conventions of the classroom. Starting up conversations on the
sidewalk to lectures from a podium. Chats, not lectures. Maybe most importantly, we prefer empathy
to sympathy. That is, we advocate for understanding over pity. Being on the road and being open to
what we find and where we find ourselves foregrounds the people we meet. We initiate conversations,
gain insights, thrust outside our comfort zones. We put people at the center of our work as architects
and architecture professors.
This is counter to the values of much of the architecture profession and, it must be said, of schools
of architecture in the U.S., and probably in most of the world. Because it is an economic creation, the
profession of architecture (and its practitioners) most appreciates glamour and profit. Humans are
dehumanized as concerns for per-square-meter costs, billable hours, occupant loads, and facility
‘users’ are central. In addition, most architects are drawn to the material aspects of building; concerns
for social or environmental justice -- for people -- are often secondary if considered at all.
In our work, we consider people to be the primary source of our inspiration. We start with an individual,
with one person. This is our simple idea: to extend a hand person-to-person and face-to-face. To offer
our name, listen to the response, and know some one on a first name basis. And to ask: does this
knowing matter to our work as architectural educators and architects?
----------
John … Braddock was alive, 1875, in Pittsburgh’s shadow. This borough, then, was home to Andrew
Carnegie’s first steel mill and the first Carnegie Library opened there in 1889. In the 1920s, the
population was 20,000+. Today it is 2,000. Now, it is place gone, a place that was. Braddock is notable
for being among the first to go. According to Mayor John Fetterman, by 2008 Braddock had “lost 90%
of everything it once was and remains in a rapidly deteriorating state of disrepair.” Allegheny County’s
poorest community also had the highest asthma rate in the region, maybe the country. Fetterman
spoke directly: Braddock is “gentrification proof.” “How do you create something sustainable within
a community that is not?” “We’re making the most of the hand that we’ve been dealt.” When asked
what success in Braddock looks like, Fetterman said he’s not interested in “success or failure . . .
[Braddock] is a work in progress with certain milestones . . . the only metric [is to reduce] the number
of homicides to zero as a way to measure improvement in quality of life.” Among the mayor’s teachings
was a new point of view: “Destruction Breeds Creation. Create Amidst Destruction.”
John gave us a tour. 12:50, a new one-hectare urban garden. 13:06, conversion of an abandoned
school and office building to live/work spaces, a 250-square-meter flexible space, and the city’s only
downtown gallery. 13:11, building materials once destined for the landfill reconfigured as an outdoor
oven for baking herb-spiced breads & pizzas and hosting open-air book readings. 13:13, thirty-eight
trees planted by the Regent Square Civic Association. 13:36, The Pond mosaic by a local sculptor
and local teenagers employed by the Braddock Youth Project. 13:41, John’s home, downtown, is a
warehouse conversion, with a $2,000 purchase price, and living quarters placed on the roof and housed
in two shipping containers. It takes less than one hour to appreciate the smallness of Fetterman’s
approach.
Leaving, we ask: “What do you need help with? What would you like us to work on?” Staying, John
replies: “I’m not in a position to ask anyone to do anything. You tell me what you want to do, what
you think needs to happen, and we can probably help you make that happen.” Asking ourselves, what
should be done in a place where a mosaic, a grove, an oven are the answers, the solutions? Can we
think this small? Act this small? Maybe the best questions are: Why get involved? Is there a role for
architects in the Rust Belt?
23
Looking back, it was the Midwest Distress Tour of 2006 that changed us, that changed our work
as architects and as the educators of architectural thinkers. Conditions we saw in Detroit and Flint,
Michigan; Gary, Indiana; Chicago and East St. Louis, Illinois: and Cincinnati, Ohio were more distressed
than we could have ever imagined, lives being lived were more difficult than we anticipated, and many
of the people who remained … well … they were still there. And that too was a revelation, to come to
know individuals who did not leave, flee, or give up, who lived in the worst neighborhoods in the most
dangerous cities in our country.
As we built trust in each other and belief in our endeavors, another road trip was conducted in 2008.
The Distress Too Tour visited Cleveland, Columbus, and Youngstown, Ohio; Braddock, Philadelphia,
Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Camden, New Jersey.
One hour after our group met with Michael Orange in Camden we were in downtown Philadelphia at
Independence Hall, seeing the cracked Liberty Bell and reading about the Declaration of Independence
as it was debated and adopted at this place on July 4, 1776, just yards from the excavated foundations
of George Washington’s slave quarters. This most revered of documents in our nation’s history reads
as follows: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the
pursuit of Happiness.”
That day, and every day since, we wonder about Orange’s life, his liberty, and his pursuit of happiness.
In the intervening years, we’ve led and taken dozens of additional road trips: to the Gulf Coast region
five times since Hurricane Katrina, at least ten trips to Detroit, driving tours through the Deep South,
two weeks in India and Sri Lanka, and more. We’ve expanded our agenda to include local officials,
scholars, and architecture firms along our way. Professor Dotson offers a seminar titled Fourth World
Theory and Dr. Janz teaches an Architects of Hope class. Both have offered design studio projects that
were sited in Detroit and Flint, Michigan; East St. Louis, Illinois; and Gary, Indiana.
Recent graduate thesis projects done under our care include: Sarah Aldroubi’s Adaptable Refugee
Camps for Women and Children; The Potential of the Forgotten by Veronica Eulacio; Jesse McClain
and Actively Outside; David Vallandingham’s Homeless, Not Hopeless; and Untying the Veiled Knot: A
place for change in the domestic service industries in Dubai, UAE by Mary Walgamuth.
Work is well underway that features critical scholarship, design studio courses, and conference
presentations even as we are currently adding an undergraduate minor and graduate certificate
program in Social and Environmental Justice to our department’s curriculum. And, as appropriate,
we build, including construction of the first permanent structure in the U.S. to be authorized with a
building permit and formed almost exclusively with timber pallets -- a material system inspired by
self-builders.
As we offer these journeys, outcomes, and imaginings for consideration, we stand by our efforts to
open the economic foundation of the architecture profession to broader social and environmental
influences, as we reveal more meaningful, empathetic work for our students.
----------
Keith … there’s an open jar of peanut butter on the porch’s top step, a white plastic knife the marker of
a man disappeared mid-meal. Maybe he’s always mid-meal. Or between meals. Shopping carts, blue
and red, nestle to the bottom step. Plastic milk crates, one upside down supports the peanut butter
place setting. Blankets hang in the porch’s openings. 417 Second Avenue, Flint, Michigan. September
2006.
Glenn says: “Don’t touch anything.” The squatter, though an illegal occupant, has rights. These are
his things. This is his peanut butter, his white plastic knife. We can’t pack them up, throw him out. This
porch is his, for now. We’re walking in his home, without his permission, checking out where he sleeps,
what he eats, his furniture, his “I Am Me . . . I Am Okay” poster. What you keep to yourself, he doesn’t
24
get to. Can’t. The neighbors are complaining, not to the police (there’s no longer enough of them and
they’ve got more serious criminals to chase), but to the Genesee County Land Bank (the owners of
the foreclosed property), and Glenn is sent to evict Keith from his squat. Wes happened to be there
with graduate students.
Unexpected, Keith walked up. We talked as he loaded a shopping cart with his belongings, on his way
to a new squat. (This was the first time for all the students – originating from Egypt, India, Indonesia,
and Nepal – to talk with a squatter.) People in the neighborhood, according to Keith, give him jobs.
That’s how he survives. When he is too cold, they give him shelter and blankets. True story. When our
group was on the porch, a man veered his automobile to the curb and demanded to know: "Is Keith
dead?“
At one point, Keith said to us: “I know where to get food and water. I know how to hunt.” A student
whispered to Wes: “Perhaps being an urban squatter is like living in the wild.”
When we departed, Keith said -- a squatter said -- this us: “You can get as much as you want out of
life. I believe in being positive.”
So do we.
25
ECOLOGICAL CATHARSIS THROUGH URBAN ACUPUNCTURE
Ali Arsalan Pasha Siddiqui, NesPak Ltd., Pakistan/Middle East Technical University, Turkey,
alipasha737@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Buildings as living machines entails the implication that context is merely a consequence of the geo-
political dynamic between built forms, rather than a discernible progression of spatial motivations.
Considering a broader perspective of terming cities as ecosystems that engage through a variety of
interaction points, it is evident that the synergy of natural processes maintains its own progression
independent of architectural intervention. The nature of public space and the genetic grains of
urban fabric are similar, terming context as the precursor to architectural intervention rather than
its sequential result. The traditional interactive relationships between natural ecosystems and built
environment influenced by local culture and identity are gradually deteriorating; causing cities to
lose their distinctive cultural identity and urban landscapes. If we consider the city as a living being
in and of itself, growing exclusive of the built environment as an emergent entity similar to the cyclic
evolution of a neural network, we can associate that both have an interconnected network structure
and sustain the capacity to adapt and self-organize by manipulating morphogenetic information.
Successful examples of such cities evolve in a very specific manner, retaining older patterns while
responding to change by adding novel adaptations. As a result, a thorough initiative to engage the
communities in active participation of urban renewal needs to be conducted, where individuals learn
how to produce small-scale socially catalytic interventions through urban acupuncture, leading to
the transformation of a larger urban context. The objective of this research is to establish the need
to understand the paradigm of urban ecosystems and how the built environment is shaped through
it, while investigating the phenomena of cultural landscape and ecology as part of city image. Cities
with engaged communities are more resilient and adaptive, gearing their activities towards poverty
alleviation and the achievement of sustainable ecological communities.
KEYWORDS: Urban Acupuncture, Neural Network, Sustainable Neighbourhoods
INTRODUCTION
The city represents a multi-layered progression, similar to the transmission of multiple ripples;
which conflict with each other and struggle to reach an equilibrium. Most architects have thoroughly
emphasised the importance of understanding buildings as living entities, which grow and evolve
with time. One could inquire why the built form is attributed a temporal and corporeal identity, while
the urban fabric that houses the structure is simply considered as a consequence of geo-political
dynamics between built forms. Context, which is observed as a mode of reference for architectural
intervention, should be rightfully defined as an evident progression of spatial motivations, terming the
city as a living ecosystem which maintains its own growth independent of architectural interference.
The aim of this paper is to highlight the importance of observing the city as a living ecosystem, in lieu
of which, lead to an observation of the processes and urban practices that give shape to public space.
Since city infrastructure and built environment always need to undergo comprehensive revitalization,
it would bode well to consider public space, as Lefebvre said, as a ‘the space thus produced also
serves as a tool of thought and of action’, hence encouraging analysis on the processes of spatial
production rather than merely the space itself. In this essence, it would be beneficial to consider
the individual and communal motivations that give shape to the public space and are the core
foundations of the city as an ecosystem. Far from a mechanical attribute, such an ecosystem is a living
entity which consistently evolves and undergoes catharsis, as a means of purification and growth.
26
ECOLOGICAL ECUMENOPOLIS
In order to understand the dynamics associated with the evolution of cities as living entities, it is crucial
to understand why cities exist; where to understand why cities exist we may begin by postulating a
world without cities. Although they are characterised has highly complex spatial phenomenon, cities
can be categorically defined by assessing a settlement with regards to productivity. The distinction of
cities from large settlements took place, when not all inhabitants of a certain locale were engaged in
agrarian activities, giving rise to specialised occupations, such as trade and food storage. For a world
without cities to exist, each individual must engage in equal productivity, making them responsible
for their own sustenance, preventing specialised occupations from occurring and negating the
existence of cities. Since, the aforementioned is a highly idealistic and somewhat counterproductive
situation, cities came into place as central hubs of trade, exchange of ideas and sharing of natural
resources. A notable characteristic in the distinction between a small city and a large town, is the
existence of organized government. Where a town accomplishes common solutions through informal
agreements between neighbours and community dwellers, the city has professional administrations
and regulations to handle policy making, in addition to a method of taxation. It is thus apparent that
cities and urban space came into being; not due to architectural or infrastructure advances, rather
due to developments in social arrangements and occupational habits, leading us to question when
urbanization and city building became a purely corporal endeavour.
The expansion of transport networks stretching farther than anticipated, has led to the emergence
of ‘metropolis’ and ‘megalopolis’ where the primary concern with regards to governance, is urban
sprawl. This comprises of the diaspora towards a suburban milieu, infrastructure development
replacing rural land and high segregation between residential and commercial uses, causing negative
consequences to public and private health, environmental degradation and socio-cultural disparity
due to fragmentation. Such dispersion causes a large increase in cost for services, where provision of
water, sewerage, electricity and security becomes substantially expensive per household. In addition,
the environmental side-effects are even more problematic, where the quality of air in modern suburbs is
more contaminated compared to smaller settlements, since the average suburban resident generates
more carbon emission per capita due to increased transport. Cars and trucks account for approximately
30% of emissions of oxides of nitrogen and 30% of hydrocarbon emissions. An additional driving
related emission is CO2, an end product of the burning of gasoline, which is the major greenhouse
gas accounting for approximately 80% of emissions with global warming potential. As a result of this,
automobile traffic is a major contributor to global climate change, which is a by-product of urban sprawl.
Farmlands and wildlife habitats are constantly displaced in favour of infrastructure development,
throwing the ecosystem out of balance, replacing forestry with impervious surfaces such as
concrete and asphalt, which are less effective in absorption of rainfall into the ground. Negative
side effects of urban sprawl, eventually lead to urban decay, where parts of the city, or in some
cases the complete urban fabric, becomes debilitated, resulting in deindustrialization, economic
starvation, rampant unemployment and an unreceptive cityscape. Even though there is no single
cause of urban decay, it is mostly an outcome of inappropriate planning decisions and distribution
of facilities; as a result of which, it is important to consider the design and planning decisions that
have led to such degradation of the metropolitan tissue. Form-focused theories of urban design
do not deal with society at large, rather the formal quality of urban space aiming to establish
specific aesthetic prototypes of urban design. In this essence, urban design is seen as a means to
repair the urban fabric, restoring the quality of urban space to a non-deteriorated previous state.
CITY AS A NEURAL NETWORK
The modern city can be observed to contain hybridized relations between the individual, ecology and
urban space; where the structure of the city tends towards a synthesis between the physiological
needs of the human body and the physical infrastructure of the city. If we consider the city as a living
being in and of itself, growing exclusive of the built environment as an emergent entity similar to
the cyclic evolution of a neural network, we can associate that both have an interconnected network
structure and sustain the capacity to adapt and self-organize by manipulating morphogenetic
27
information. In theory, a metropolis could constitute a form of organization of the city, analogous
to a biological network that functions as the structural organization of the brain. Akin to the neural
network, the city is continuous but not homogenous, articulated on different layers with varying
connections and subdivided in thousands of different branches, defining the city essentially as an
organic structure that is various and changeable, capable to incorporate mutations and self-organise.
Studying the city as a neural network means considering the whole system as field of interactions,
making it plausible to segregate a parameter and test the reaction of the system according to the
chosen values for it. This reveals an enormous potential to directly manipulate the genetic code of the
city itself, following the rules of its natural behaviour, where development is not considered a designed
superimposition on the city, rather the result of a manipulation of its intrinsic structure. Starting
from this structure, the city can simulate grow different configurations, permutations and iterations,
refining and redefining the city vision which has emerged through the uncovering of its individual
neural network. In addition to isolating a particular parameter for stress-testing of the city system,
it is most beneficial to isolate particular areas of the urban layout and conducting analyses on the
particular points as means of inculcating agents for revitalization of the urban fabric. These particular
points may be referred to as urban pressure points, which may be the locus operandi regarding various
activities, ranging from religious centres to post offices and in many cases parks and public squares.
The isolation of such pressure points, ensures that urban intervention with a guided purpose will be
conducted in a controlled environment and if successful, may be permitted to propagate into the milieu.
URBAN PRESSURE POINTS
In essence, a localised response to community needs, rather than a large-scale urban renewal, would
respond to localized needs with a greater comprehension of how city-wide systems converge at that
very node and how working on that particular pressure point could cause a ripple-effect of renewal to
spread outwards. This method of urban revitalization is termed as urban acupuncture, which is most
aptly defined by Marco Casagrande as a ‘manipulation of the collective sensuous intellect of a city’.
This strategy views the city as a multi-dimensional, living, breathing organism and locates areas that
are in need of repair, similar to the energy-flows observed in the Chinese practice of Acupuncture.
Projects pertaining to sustainable design and efficient spatial usage, may be linked to the puncture
needles that revitalize the organism or system by working intensively on the parts. By understanding
the city as a living entity, the process promotes a community-centric method, highlighting localised
nuclei which are analogous to nodes and vital organs of the human body. Although sites are selected
through analysis of social, economic and ecological factors, the small-scale catalytic interventions are
not necessarily geared at influencing such literal aspects of the locale, rather in many situations may
focus on miniscule changes in the fabric, such as plantation of trees, introduction of street furniture
and even introducing new shades and colours in the ambiance. Since large-scale revitalization projects
are not only less effective in achieving the required result, not to mention less economically feasible;
targeted small-scale changes as an approach to gradual heal the larger urban setting is the practical
motivation.
Perceiving the city as a thoroughly interlaced living, breathing entity, the urban acupuncture
perspective promotes communitarian machinery and sets localized nuclei – analogous to the meridians
of the human body. Urban acupuncture exploits the temporal nature of urbanization through punctual
manipulation of urban energy flows in order to create ecologically sustainable urban developments.
Compared to traditional methods of large scale urban renewal, these interventions have resulted to
be more sensitive and adaptable to community needs, since they respond to local necessities with
the knowledge of how overlapping urban layers converge at a particular node. Interventions at such
strategic nodes prove to be the antithesis to the corrosive outcomes of mass-industrialization, by
engaging the ecological undercurrent of the milieu and allowing environmental emergence to take place.
28
THE ARCHITECTURE NEEDLE
With regards to the urban organism such small-scale interventions trigger cathartic processes,
establishing a relationship between the urban collective consciousness and the vital systems of
nature. Interventions of such a nature are exemplified in feats of Architecture such as the Guggenheim
Museum in Bilbao by Frank Gehry, The Sydney Opera House by Jorn Utzon, the Pompidou Centre in
Paris by Sir Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano, pointed interventions which led to real revolutions of
the city fabric. The pioneer of the practice, Brazilian architect and politician Jaime Lerner’s approach
in Curitiba, Brazil is an exemplar of urban acupuncture, with the proposition of affordable public
transport, incentives for waste collective and the construction of small parks scattered throughout
the city. Lerner asserts the simplicity of the process by expressing, ‘the city is hit, but of it, it benefits
all the country. Sting the park with a needle, and of it, benefits the whole metropolis.’
In the Netherlands, urban renewal and regeneration have been a key concern for the past 50 years,
since after World War II and the bombardment of Rotterdam, the key issue was the restructuring of
the city because of the housing shortage. From the end of the war and the late 60s, there was a period
of urban restructuring considered an improvement of the urban structure, with the aim of ensuring
adequate functioning of city centres in respect to expanding settlements. However, in the 90s, more
differentiated housing was seen as a solution to discourage spatial segregation, with projects like
Borneo & Sporenburg revitalization taking shape in the Docklands. 2500 low-rise dwelling units
focused on water-related activities were designed, as a new interpretation of the traditional Dutch
canal house. However today, since the economic crisis it has become more inconvenient to create
large scale transformations for whole neighbourhoods, so the demand for small scale interventions
is increasing. Urban acupuncture, in this instance can be considered a 21st century strategy of
urban regeneration, since it implements the small scale interventions in such a way that it takes
into account the long term goals and the requirements of the area. For successful transformation of
the physical environment and its social attributes, it is essential to maintain and strengthen positive
characteristics of the spatial identity, so as to not inculcate a reprogramming of the genetic code,
rather merely restructuring and repairing the damaged topographies.
An additional example, can be observed in Beirut, Lebanon, where Vladimir Djurovic’s proposition for
the ‘Samir Kassir Public Garden’, acts as a gateway to the Central District of Beirut. The core concept
revolves around the framing and emphasising of two ancient trees that have stood in the locale for a
long time. An ecologically focused approach, the architect proposed a raised pool, lined with pebbles
to create a sense of solitude and respite on a miniscule site located in an urban district. On a larger
scale, the ecological restoration of industrial cities, can observe urban acupuncture as spontaneous
emergence of urban farms and community gardens punctuating the more mechanical city and tuning
it towards a more sustainable co-existence with the natural environment. Ecological interventions
in large-scale revitalization projects generally fail to achieve the purpose of balancing out the urban
hardscape, primarily because the ecological milieu gives shape to its own self-contained microcosm,
which counterproductively fails to engage with the hard cityscape and instead distinguishes itself
as ‘the park’ or ‘the green belt’. Hence, it is apparent that large scale ecological interventions are
impractical and as a result destructive to the city fabric, since an active dialogue between built and
natural needs to take-place on a much smaller scale, one that is achievable through urban acupuncture
geared towards ecological intervention, in essence, an ecological catharsis of the milieu.
Small-scale ecologically motivated interventions are also a positive motivation, since they endeavour to
bring together community dwellers, in attempts to be part of an environmentally-friendly development
of their locale. It is evident that architects and planners participating in such urban acupuncture initiatives
can utilize such opportunities to educate communities on the importance of small-scale socially
catalytic interventions. A thorough initiative to engage the communities in active participation of urban
renewal needs to be conducted, where individuals learn different methods of contributing positively to
their neighbourhood, such as planting trees, cleaning streets and even repairing walkways, leading to
the transformation of a larger urban context. The objective of the initiative is to establish the need to
thoroughly understand the paradigm of urban ecosystems and how the built environment is shaped
through it, while investigating the phenomena of cultural landscape and ecology as part of city image.
29
CONCLUSION
Cities with engaged communities are more resilient and adaptive, gearing their activities towards
poverty alleviation and the achievement of sustainable ecological communities. The goal is to not
only inculcate a manner of rational and clear thought, but also to find methods which alleviate the
difficulties associated with different environments and inhabitants. Lacking a thorough understanding
of grass root settlements in most cases, architectural intervention as a means of social revitalization
fails to establish a symbiotic relationship with the community and eventually succumbs to impassive
lethargy. A successfully geared urban acupuncture initiative can eventually lead towards poverty
alleviation and self-sufficient settlements, creating cities with adaptive and resilient communities,
gearing their activities towards communal progress and generating a vibrant urban context and to
achieve sustainable ecological communities.
REFERENCES
Alexander, C (1965) ‘A city is not a tree’, Architectural Forum, Vol. No. 122
Cullen, G (1961) Townscape, London: Architectural Press
Gandy, M (2006) ‘Zones of Indistinction: Bio-political Contestation in the Urban Arena’, Cultural
Geographies, Vol. No. 13:497-516
Heylighen, F (1989) ‘Self-Organization, Emergence and the Architecture of Complexity’, Proceedings

of the 1st European Conference on System Science, (AFCET, Paris). p. 23-32
Koolhaas, R (1978) Delirious New York: a retroactive manifesto for Manhattan, London: Thames &
Hudson
Lefebvre, H (1991) The Production of Space, Oxford: Basil Blackwell: France
Lerner, J (2003) Acupuntura Urbana, Rio de Janeiro: Record
Lynch, K (1960) The Image of the City, Cambridge, London: M.I.T. Press
Maurizio M & Nicoletta A (2004) ‘Urban Acupuncture: A Proposal for the renewal of Milan’s Urban Ring
Road, Milan, Italy’, 40th International Society of City and Regional Planners Congress: Italy
Silva Mora, N (2013), ‘Urban Acupuncture Projects as a Slum Upgrading Process:

How to tackle poverty effectively in a multi-dimensional way: The case of Ciudad
Bolivar in Bogota’, MSc Thesis, University College London. Retrieved from:
http://www.banrepcultural.org/sites/default/files/colf_silvamora_natalia_tesis.pdf
Sternberg, E (2002) ‘What Makes Buildings Catalytic: How Cultural Facilities Can Be Designed to Spur
Surrounding Development’, Journal of Architecture and Planning Research: Chicago
30
GLOBAL ISSUES AND CITIES

Gaetan Siew, CEO, Global Creative Leadership Initiative, Mauritius, g.siew@gsiew-gcli.org
Abstract
Our world is becoming a world of global imbalances with larger visible fractures. An urban, mobile, old/
rich –young/poor world. Global issues, food security, disasters, illnesses are becoming borderless and
connectivity is accelerating mobility. The traditional headquarters of power, states and government
are losing grounds in favour of new centres and groupings of power- Emerging nations, civil societies
and virtual networks and alliances. Cities compete to attract talent and investment. The western
world is challenged in its values, its structure with the creation of a multipolar world. Constant flow
of information and all kinds of networks, loss of power of nations with increasing social inequalities
contribute to loss of values and references.
Five mutations are observed as global trends that will impact on architecture and cities: Geopolitics,
Economy and globalization, Genetics, Digital Revolution and Ecology. The paper focuses on three
consequences namely, Mobility, Identity and Culture and Cities and lifestyle.
· Mobility:
People - Ideas – Goods. The movement of people (immigrants, expatriates, tourists, retired,
climate refugees) and their influence on cities in terms of housing, infrastructure and identity.
The issue of transport of people and goods and their close relationship with global energy
management. And finally the mobility of knowledge and its impact on identity culture and
values.
· Identity and Culture:
Culture is becoming a service industry on its own. Cities are using culture, entertainment
as an economic driver in every form including, art, market, cinema, and architecture (Abu
Dhabi, Baku, Bilbao…). The constant real-time flow of ideas are developing a two-way
traffic challenging western standards and values as universal references. Cultural identities
compete to become universal. Globalised is localized and vice-versa.
· Life:
New technologies are challenging distance breaking down old work-live-play barriers and
proposing e-activities all the way. The change in the family structure and its incidence on the
city. The space-time relationship will no longer be the same. The urban fabric can now be
connected in a virtual e-way permitting shopping, working, entertainment, education, health
care without physical mobility. However on the other hand all these connections leave people
more and more isolated.
In the end, intuitively we feel that too much technology may not lead to happiness. We need more
intuition and less data. It seems that three factors are essential for a liveable city – social engagement,
open mind diversity and beauty! The unsaid objective of it all is Cities for Life, a better life. A city we
would be proud of. I am one of those, an urban optimist!
Keywords: globalisation, trends, cities, mobility, identity.
INTRODUCTION
After an overview of today’s world context, the paper observes the global trends, issues and challenges.
The paper then focuses on three issues affecting cities worldwide, namely mobility, globalisation and
cultural identities and finally people’s changing lifestyles.
31
GENERAL CONTEXT
The World: Contrasted territories – global imbalances

We are still in an unprecedented crisis, more mobile, older and unequal. More than half of the world’s
population is urbanised. All cities have the same economic and social contrasts. Globalisation has
made the inequalities more visible. New tensions are growing as the future becomes more and more
unsure.
• World urbanisation
• A mobile world
• Rich and poor-wealth gap
• An aging world
• Global illnesses
• Knowledge in competition
• Digital fractures: Death of distance
Figure 1: World map of inequality income.
World regionalisation
Regionalisation alternatives become more and more economic and commercial than political. Emerging
nations, civil societies are forging new alliances. Alliances regroup enterprises, cities and virtual
networks instead of political blocks. The western world is challenged in its values, its organisational
mode and the other continents especially Asia and Latin America are creating a multipolar world.
• Diversity and regionalisation
• Europe in recovery: committed to use its potential in external relations
• New Asia: Indigenous innovation
• African re-composition; Fastest-growing region
• Americas: Challenged by a multipolar world
Power and complexity of networks

It seems that nations and states are finding it difficult to adapt to the new context. A new set of global
players control the international scene. The individual has the ability to integrate, communicate
directly easily. However this network is fragile and can be the cause of collapse several of the players.
We are now in transition to a new kind of economy based on networks, new principles and new ways
of creating value.
• Multinationals
• World finance – mobility, outsourcing
• Civil society
• NGOs
In search of new partnerships

Constant immersion in flow of information and all kinds of networks, loss of power of nations with
increasing social inequalities contribute to loss of values and references. Stronger universal and
transversal values are in place. Minorities are in search of new identities.
• Integration of diversity
• Religious politics
• Individual and culture- ageing population, downshifting lifestyle
• Technology power – Biotech society
Our future: Global governance and civil societies?

Global awareness on global issues such as food crisis and climate change is challenging everyone
and may need collective answers. Global governance has been weak till now. There has been no
agreement towards world regulation at global level to address these urban issues.
• Produce and/or eat
• Renewable energy – energy use, transport dependency
• World trade regulation
32
• Environmental degradation
• Climatic challenges
• World governance
Global trends
In this general context, patterns and global trends seem to find their way to impact on architecture
and on cities in the very near future, if they have not already done so.
• Technological progress:
The growing capability of humans to achieve their purpose
• The rise of the middle class:
Emerging countries (2b people spending 6.9 trillion $ annually) using their know-how
to produce goods and services, to travel and spend more.
• Improving health
Technological progress and economic growth leads to increasing longevity with two
consequences: population growth and a rise the average age of the population.
• Increasing mobility
People, information and goods move faster than ever
• Environmental decline
The continuing high population growth and economic and urban development
produce pollution and other environmental abuse
• Increasing loss of culture (Globalisation) – Multi polar world
Mobility, rapid changes, economic growth and loss of traditions and cultural identities.
FIVE MUTATIONS
We note five mutations, namely: geopolitics, economy and globalisation, genetics, digital revolution
and ecology.
Geopolitics
Since the fall of the Berlin wall and the collapse of the Soviet Bloc, there seems to be a void left by
the absence of the bipolar USA/USSR cold war. The world power is restructuring itself. The West
modernity symbols are fading and losing their charms in the new emerging nations.
Economy and globalisation

It becomes evident that there is a dissociation between territories and governments on one side and
finance and economy on the other. The borders are blurred. Governments seem helpless vis-à-vis the
recent global economic crisis. The economic power is out of their hands and controlled by faceless
and nationless global companies.
Genetics
Since the discovery of DNA, man is now in a position to master the procreation process, eradicating
several diseases and feed the future 9 billion population as well as solve critical issues of water
security. However, to get there we will have to tackle the ethical and legal constraints.
Digital revolution
This new revolution is changing our everyday life. The web could be compared to the discovery of a
6th continent. It is nowhere and everywhere. It is upsetting the founding principles of time and space.
Data, information is readily available in bulk. The word revolution was not chosen by accident because
it has really overturned Arab spring governments. The whole African continent is revolutionised by
the new connectivity.
Ecology
The whole world is challenged by the environment. The principle of collective responsibility is finding
its own way through awareness, survival or economic reasons. Man and companies are threatening
the earth. Is infinite growth in a finite world possible with such strong signals as regular natural
disasters and biodiversity dilemmas?
33
All the five mutations have simultaneous and parallel impact on the future development of cities. We
will focus on three of these: The acceleration of mobility, the alleged conflict between globalisation
and identity and finally our own lifestyle within these cities.
ACCELERATION OF MOBILITY
There is a growing trend of the mobility of people, ideas and good. This is further accelerated by the
digital revolution.
People
About 230 million people move across the globe every year hoping for a better life but also transporting
with them new ideas, new concepts, their cultures and traditions. They also move a phenomenal
amount of capital. New technology allows for this huge money remittance to the home countries (460
billion $ in 2012). The African Diaspora sends home an average 50 billion US dollar a year, higher
than the total international aid figure from rich countries to Africa. An informal amount escaping the
official economy. Beyond the emotional factor, immigration is a definite development driver both in
the north and in the south. However the impact on the host country’s culture leads to unromantic
situations. The immigrants fill specific city neighbourhoods creating a growing xenophobia within the
local population. The rise of the emerging countries middle class (1.75 billion in Asia alone by 2020)
is starting to keep the best skills at home helping their own development.
Figure 2: Lampedusa boat people.

The second group of mobile people is that of expatriates also known as High Net Worth Individuals
HNWI. These high earners (500 000+ dollars per annum) have the luxury of choice for their home city.
Their selection of cities follows a pattern. They choose cities that offer special qualities - diversity,
quality of life and fiscal advantages.
Their preferences go to the following cities; Cities with great population diversity, with different
nationalities, different age groups, and different languages; Cities with high levels of cultural and
lifestyle maturity; cities offering a cosmopolitan lifestyle. In Singapore, 35% of the population are
expatriates from over 80 nationalities. The same applies to London, New York, Barcelona, Amsterdam
and recently to Istanbul. Amsterdam has a whole expats’ village.
And finally quality of life is related to quality of infrastructure, that is, international standards in terms
of health, education, housing, environment, growth, and connectivity. Last and not least, cities with
low fiscal regimes, allowing them to invest and live with the lowest taxes possible. Several cities and
small countries are now competing to attract these populations. Wealthy Russians are moving to
Nicosia, Cyprus. Malta and Latvia are proposing a European passport just like other Caribbean and
Indian Ocean islands.
34
The other high mobility group are tourists, just normal tourists. Venice, with only a population of 55
000 only, has 22 million tourists each year. How can a city of 55 000 accommodate 22 million without
impacting on its identity, without undergoing profound transformations? Italian restaurants become
well-kept secrets, shared by the chosen few who prefer not to see the McDonalds, Starbucks and
others. Food acts as a visible indicator of the global identity of a place. French people are hostile to
the international influence on their culture especially on their food. Many tourists feel exhausted
after eating local food for a few days and will try to find some home or “international” food (Chinese,
pizza…). This is the very contradiction of tourism. Travel, discover and then transform to adapt to
known home habits. The transformation is gradual and then takes over the place. When the place
becomes too touristic, it loses its charm and the tourist crowd moves on to some other remote place.
This is happening all over the world. 1.6 billion tourists a year can really transform cities. And the
Chinese and Indian middle class has only just started to travel…
Figure 3: Overcrowded Venice – 22m tourists per year.

The last mobile group are the retired people, a special kind of tourist, a longer term tourist. A
growing phenomenon. The North is aging, health is improving and people live longer. At retirement
age, they are still fit and they want to travel, to spend time doing what they have missed during
their professional life. They spend up to 6 months overseas enjoying two summers, one in each
hemisphere, North and South. Canadians and Americans are buying or renting houses for 6 months
in countries such as Argentina and Colombia. Like migrating birds, every year they move down South.
Summer at home and in winter to the South for a second summer. This longer term settlement is
transforming the life of the local population, the identity of the cities and villages leading to a form of
gentrification or ghettoization. The real estate market gets heated convincing the locals to sell and
move elsewhere. In some cities, governments propose special zones dedicated and sold to foreigners
as gated communities accommodating retired and expatriates. New shops cater to their foreign needs
and means, which do not often correspond to the local cultures and habits.
And of course mobility is related to transport. Several factors are now the reason for most cities
congestion; growing urbanisation, unplanned and uncontrolled cities, the separation of human
activities – work-live-play, the impact of the car. Cities such as Jakarta, Manila, Lagos, Cairo, and Sao
Paulo can be a daily nightmare up to four hours a day.
35
Figure 4: Kinshasa and Lagos – everyday scenario.
Some have developed efficient public transport systems, Singapore, Curitiba, London or Paris. Others
have promoted a greener approach – Amsterdam, Melbourne, Paris- with cycling. While best solutions
are being tested in an integrated approach structuring the city virtually with new technology Incheon,
Copenhagen developing exportable solutions. The integrated approach rethinks the concept of time
and space in a different model using e-governance and e-administration for everyday life activities.
South Korea and Japan are leaders in that field achieving shopping, management, teleworking and other
activities without the physical movement of people. A whole range of new economic opportunities are
being developed beyond the concept of Smart Cities by London Future Cities Catapult and Singapore
+ MIT integrating new technology, space and work with urban planning.
Ideas
Ideas flow in real time. Acceleration is exponential with digital technology. The printed newspaper is
having a hard time to continue to earn a living. Printed news can no longer survive only with scoops.
Knowledge and information has multiple sources. In the days of the name of the rose, knowledge
used to be power. Today power and knowledge have shifted to connectivity. Google has built a whole
industry based on the free distribution of information. This new mobility enables instant information
sharing, innovation and their transformation into real time projects and actions. A true industrial and
social revolution! In cities too, all connecting elements of infrastructure are celebrated and built as
iconic urban references: metro stations of Rio, London Docklands, Bangalore, Hi-tech bridges of Millau
and Istanbul, motorways of Melbourne constellated with public art, hi-speed rail network/stations
and airports of Barcelona, Shanghai. SideCar is an app of car sharing connecting passengers and
private car drivers in real time in real location through your mobile phone suggesting a fee to be paid
to the driver. This will revolutionise city travel and public transport in the same way that Airbnb is
threatening the hotel industry (estimated at 2.5 billion $ - Davos 2014). Ideas are becoming physically
visible.
Goods
The invention of the goods container now allows them to travel seamlessly through the four modes (air,
rail, land and sea) without disconnection reducing time and costs. Warehouses, manufacturing units
are relocated in new strategic hubs to receive and deliver the goods on a 24/7 basis. Transportation
hubs are relocated strategically in the periphery of towns abandoning large industrial and rail stations
central areas. These former hubs are in turn reconverted into waterfronts, industrial gentrified lofts
or SoHos (Small office Home office). Recent examples in Minhacidade- Sao Paulo, Dumbo-New York.
36
Figure 5: Minhacidade, Sao Paulo – Obsolete

industrial area.
The goods themselves become objects

of globalisation conveying identities,
technologies and concepts endlessly copied
in most remote locations of the globe.
The global players transform/adapt their
products to touch local markets. MacDonald
now sells beefless burgers in India. Asia is
such a big market, adaptation is required;
22% of the world export and a 5.5 billion $
market. Multinational companies no longer
belong to the western world only. The Tata
Group (India) has bought British Leyland and Jaguar, flagships of the British industry. Mittal (India)
has bought Arcelor in France. China just bought a stake in Peugeot. And Asia is flooded by European
and US brands with custom made luxury goods, especially clothing to suit local tastes. All the above
contribute to the globalised identity.
GLOBALISATION AND IDENTITY
The second focus area is identity and culture. Culture, as a global market, is changing cities in many
ways. There is a shift from the original identity from a single unipolar world to multipolar models. A shift
from the western references. We are experiencing a shift and mix of several cultures simultaneously.
What is globalised becomes localised.
Global culture market

Culture has become a product, a service industry. A new form of power with an annual turnover of
800 billion $. A new soft power amounting to 7% of the GDP. Some cities are investing heavily in the
cultural and creative industries. Culture is now acting as a development engine for several competing
cities. High speed globalisation has totally blurred the borders between culture and finance (digital,
art market, tourism…) and subsidised culture (libraries, performing arts...); heritage (museums and
monuments) and artistic creativity (cinema, music, theatre dance).
Built in the early sixties, the Sydney Opera House has become the iconic symbol of Australia. This was
one of the first modern architectural icons, a cultural building, placing a city on the world map. Today
50 years later, it is a UNESCO World Heritage monument branding the whole country.
The urban acupuncture idea of branding a whole city by a single element, called by Jaime Lerner, has
made its way. A small needle planted in the social fabric of the city to regenerate the whole urban
fabric, to make it socially and economically vibrant. The F. Gehry Guggenheim museum in Bilbao was
an immediate success with a 20% tourism growth in the first year. The entire industrial decaying area
was transformed into a dynamic neighbourhood. This success is now known worldwide as the Bilbao
effect, the wow-factor!
This effects on urban renovation is three-fold; historic neighbourhood regeneration (Xintiandi,

Shanghai & Temple Bar area, Dublin), Industrial areas reconversion (Art Zone 798, Beijing & Art
Factories, Barcelona) and urban periphery transformation (Irving Park, Chicago)
37
Figure 6: H Aliyev
Cultural Centre
(Z Hadid) – Baku
Azerbaijan.
Several cities are now

trying to reinvent
themselves through
the cultural needle.
Baku, Azerbaijan
with its new cultural
centre signed by
Zaha Hadid.
Hong Kong has
reclaimed 40-hectare
of land on the sea
to create the West
Kowloon Cultural
District with 17 core art and cultural buildings. The first one is the New Chinese Opera House, by
Bing Thom Architects. The cultural seafront is financed by landside real estate operations - hotels,
conventions centres, shopping malls, and residential apartments.
Figure 7: Chinese Opera

House, West Kowloon-
Hong Kong.
Unlike her big sister
Dubai, the Abu Dhabi
2030 vision master plan
includes cultural content
within a coherent strategic
framework. Today, Abu
Dhabi's foremost ambition
is to develop a cultural
infrastructure that will
allow it to establish itself
as a reference point for
culture starting with the
Guggenheim Museum by
Frank Gehry. The Louvre extension by Jean Nouvel and the Paris-Sorbonne-Abu Dhabi by OGER, could
be considered as exploits. For the French government, it was unthinkable that these two institutions
could exist elsewhere outside Paris. Finally it seems acceptable that culture may also be delocalised
to a foreign location.
These are but a few examples of cultural investment internationally as drivers to the economy.
Decline
Blockbusters, bestsellers! The US dream factory seems to be more durable than all their military
victories. Many tend to see globalization in terms of cultural Americanisation, which is only partly
true. USA’s power of diffusion is stronger than regional cultures, which lack the connections and the
platforms to broadcast and distribute their production. But globalisation is in reality a two-way traffic.
A global, a transnational general flow. YouTube connects unknown artists, musicians from the most
remote locations to the world without the conventional distribution systems.
The Global North is aging seriously. Innovation is linked with the youth, the digital natives especially
of the emerging countries. They have a natural and necessary grasp of new technologies constantly
connecting them to the world. This is a formidable creative moment for emerging Asia and Africa.
38
In Europe, more than in USA, the cultural approach has been very elitist. Culture is not intended for
the popular market, but rather for the intellectual elite. Scale too plays against Europe. China plus
India are eight times the size of Europe. The decrease of cultural market share has several losers
among the European countries; France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Germany. Winners appear to come from
USA, all the BRICS, Russia, and China with Brazil as a new club member.
Shift and mix

The shift and mix is happening in forms of art and culture.
In cinema Bollywood selling 3.6 billion tickets a year and Hollywood only 2.6 billion tickets. Bollywood
and Nollywood (Nigeria) are winning grounds in Africa and the Brazilian telenovelas have a significant
market in Russia. Sony and Columbia are producing Chinese film director, Zhang Yimou films.
The art market today is around 47 billion $. The leaders of the market have traditionally been Art
Basel in Switzerland, followed by Miami Basel, Florida. In 2011, Hong Kong Basel has seen China
becoming the biggest art buyer - 41% of the world market.
The same applies to literature and books. The largest publishing houses like Random House (Germany)
Time Warner (USA) are, in fact, owned by Lagardère from France. Several Nobel prizes are today from
Asia; Rabindranath Tagore from India, Gao Xing Chang from China and Orhan Pamuk from Turkey.
In music a lot is happening too. Were it not for globalisation, Cesaria Evora of Cape Verde would
not have been known. K-pop singer of Gangnam Style hit a record of 22 million YouTube viewers
worldwide.
We have moved far from the globalisation cliché. Americanisation is not taking over all parts of the
world. The cultural benchmarks are being remixed and giving birth to new models in all forms of art
including architecture. We note the Inno-native concept of Ghanaian architect Joe Osae-Addo inspired
from a globalised world but re-appropriated in a local context.
Globalised-localised
Globalisation does not have the same influence on countries with history depth. India and China can
absorb globalisation easier and remain Indian and Chinese respectively. This is equally true for strong
export attitude countries such as Japan and Korea.
Figure 8: French Hermes Sari plans.

However they are all celebrating modernity flirting with the temptation of hedonism and luxury of
fashion. Creating gigantic consumerism temples or malls, mass museums of art is a new form of
capitalistic art in the Emirates, Qatar and in Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore, China).
39
CITIES AND LIFESTYLE
Is the city wired or smart? Are we urban nomads? Gradually mobile and digital technology is taking
over every facet of our everyday life. In the most remote places of Africa, Amazonia or Central Asia,
connectivity opens an array of opportunities. Cities are becoming a huge market for integrated
systems transforming them into places of tomorrow. Will this lead to homogenisation?
Death of distance
Kikuyu farmers are selling their crop without going to town. Uganda is setting up a rural distance
health improvement programme by mobile telephone. Kyrgyzstan shepherds can track their yaks and
sheep with their new iCow Kenyan mobile application.
In short physical mobility is becoming redundant in many instances. In Africa and other remote
locations, survival and austere conditions of the environment boost endless inventiveness from the
local populations. They invent their own appropriate mobile apps anywhere in poor Asia and poor
Africa. 224 million mobile money transactions in Africa 2012. Text messages to help expectant
mothers in South Africa. Yoza mobile distance learning for children. 2 million people connected to
sustainable cocoa farming in Ghana.
Is it the death of distance? Has distance disappeared in the virtual 6th continent? There is a growing
pattern of the return towards the Work-Live-Play model of city centres back to the old European cities
model. The car is a fading star. Bankrupt Detroit’s decay is an eye opener. Working from home in a
4-day week is very hip in San Francisco and industrial lofts of New York and Tokyo are reconverted
into SoHos.
Improved efficiency without physical mobility. The urban nomads are the new e-aficionados; e-learning,
e-administration, e-work, e-shopping... Public transport optimisation with people geo-localising and
their destination for shortest itineraries.
The role of home will change and rediscover functions lost over the past century where we used to
work, learn and play. Connectivity will bond new communities sharing work, interests. Young emerging
countries and their youth will be benefitting the most. The nature of working life will shift into three
categories teleworking jobs, car-based jobs and personal contact jobs.
City planning is changing drastically with new technology and space-time relationship is evolving. The
aged zoning planning theory based on functions segregation is giving way. Space will now be organised
and structured in a different and virtual way. The dispersion of work will transform cities. City centres
will win back their original importance as places where people live and go out for entertainment,
leisure and culture. They will regain their dynamism with architecture, shops, cafés and street life.
The darker side is that more communication means in fact less communication. More and more
people live isolated. Highly connected societies such as South Korea have high levels of suicide. One
unbelievable statistics is that 40% of the adult population in the western world, North America and
Europe, live alone, single, either divorced, widowed or unmarried. The city is adapting to cater for their
different needs in terms of housing, shopping, transport and leisure. The size of the apartments, their
travel mode, their leisure and holiday preference, all are changing and changing their relationship to
the city.
Cities as a market force

Cities themselves are becoming a market to tap for the required transformation, to adaptation to this
new age. The market is huge in terms upgrading, energy efficiency, connecting them differently, and
connecting them without congestion. Cities produce 65% of world GDP and there is an estimated
market of 333 billion $ by 2030. Several global companies Google, Intel, Siemens, and Cisco are all
busy developing Cities and Innovation laboratories for testing and simulating tomorrow’s solutions.
The near future is integrating the whole approach.
It does make sense for city systems to work together for mutual benefit. Waste and energy systems
40
working in tandem to create low-carbon energy from waste. Mobile networks helping transport
systems deal with rush hour. Fostering this integration, encouraging cities to operate in a more
joined-up way – helping them improve quality of life, strengthen their economies and protect their
environment. This challenge is on the desktop of several innovative cities – Seoul, London, Barcelona,
New York, Bangalore, Kigali and more.
MORE CONNECTIONS. MORE DIVERGENCES?
Globalisation has started a series of large scale changes that no one can escape. The new technologies
and liberalisation are giving birth to a more uniformed world. However the paradox seems that each
culture is suddenly more conscious and protective of their own values. In short globalisation enhances
diversity and its diffusion. Culture becomes the unique uniting factor as a set of social and spiritual
references for each society. And culture reminds us that cities are meant for people. “What is the city,
but the people?” Coriolanus, Shakespeare.
Cities are human artefacts, developed and modified over time according to perceived needs and values.
Although cities are home to diverse populations, the dominant population groups are generally those
whose values, interests and needs are reflected in the built environment, formal institutions and
regulatory regimes.
“The emerging picture of the 21st century city fits many descriptions. Some are centres of rapid
industrial grown and wealth creation, often accompanied by harmful waste and pollution. Others are
characterised by stagnation, urban decay and rising social exclusion and intolerance. Both scenarios
point to the urgent need for new, more sustainable approaches to urban development. Both argue
for greener, more resilient and inclusive towns and cities which can help combat climate change and
resolve ago-old urban inequalities.” Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General.
The increasingly interconnected nature of the world’s most pressing problems demands new
approaches to the development of solutions. Traditional intellectual fields are shifting and converging
in order to answer the complex questions facing our globalised society. A sustainable approach will be
integrated and people-centred. Will the connection between all these mobilities, identities, affinities
and languages make a happier life?
I remain an urban optimist.
Thank you.
REFERENCES
Attali, J., 2003. L’homme nomade, Fayard, Paris/France.
Cairncross, F., 2001. The death of distance, Harvard Business Review Press, Cambridge/USA.
Chesky, B., 2014. Speech at World Economic Forum, Davos/Switzerland.
Collier, P., 2013. Exodus: How migration is changing the world, Oxford Univ. Press, N. York.
Durand, MF., 2009. Atlas de la mondialisation, Sciences Po. Les Presses, Paris.
Eco, U., 1983. In the name of the rose, Costantino Marmo, Milano/Italy.
Fréchin, JL., 2013. Le numérique, c’est la mobilité des idées, Interview, Les Echos, Paris.
Gilding, P., 2011. The great disruption, Bloomsbury, Sydney.
Glaeser, E., 2011. Triumph of the city, Penguin, US.
41
Guillebaud, JC., 2012. Une autre vie est possible, Edition L'iconoclaste, Paris, France.
Lipovetsky, G & Serroy J., 2013. L'esthétisation du monde, Gallimard, Paris.
Martel, F., 2011. Mainstream, Flammarion, Paris.
McKinsey report, 2010. Capturing the world’s emerging middle class, USA.
Rifkin, J., 2013. The third industrial revolution, Palgrave Macmillan, USA.
Rousseau, M., 2013. Villes post-industrielles, Essai, Métropolitiques.eu, Lyon.
World Economic Forum, 2014. Outlook on the global agenda 2014 report, Geneva.
42
PLANNING AND DESIGN RELATED TO A CRITICAL GLOBAL COMMUNITY NEED - MENTAL HEALTH
CARE: A MUCH NEEDED FOCUS.
Philip Patrick Sun, AIA, ACHA, NCARB, CEO and Executive Director, Asian Community Mental Health
Services, USA, ppsun@aol.com
Abstract
38% of those who need mental health care receive it in the USA. Worldwide it is worse. Low to middle
income countries have a gap between 76-85% and high income countries only meet 35-50% of the
need.
The measure of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) shows neuropsychiatric conditions cause losses
which are higher than cardiovascular disease and cancer. Because of complex interactions and co-
morbidity between mental health and physical health, the disparities are believed to be even much
higher. Additionally, almost one million people die due to suicide each year and this is the third leading
cause of death among the young.
The ‘front line’ and first priority on mental health care reported in WHO’s Mental Health Report 2001
is provision of mental health treatment through primary care.
This paper focuses on an example of planning and process for outpatient facilities for this critical need
and how this is much different than physical health operations and settings.
Interdisciplinary research, analysis, design and evaluation processes included physicians, therapists,
case managers, patients (clients/consumer), researchers and health care planners/architects. Data,
hypothesis, analysis of operational, physical/environmental conditions, patient interviews and surveys
led to modeling and design approaches for healthier environments.
Mental health is most devastating for the poor worldwide. Lessons learned include examples of positive
and detrimental environments which are fundamentally different than physical health. This paper also
suggests the link between integrated approaches improves outcome and built environments.
Because mental health fundamentally involves psychological and environmental perception the
quality of the design or architecture for treatment is arguably more important than the design for
other clinical care settings. This paper is about the approach toward planning and design which
recognizes resilience, ecology and value also known as HOPE, STRENGTH and RESILIENCE.
Keywords: significance of mental health, mental health care vs. physical health care, integrated
planning and development, lean methods, mental health design attributes.
43
INTRODUCTION
In the majority of health care (physical health), the problem is observable either by the naked eye or
through technology. This is not the case with behavioral health or mental health.
We, as health care architects have for generations concentrated on physical health projects which
have dominated the landscape of health care projects. Hospitals, health centers, clinics, long term
care facilities have been the majority concentration while life expectancy for the serious mentally ill
is reportedly reduced by 10-20 years, worse than that for heavy smoking.
The World Health Organization reported in 2003: “It is becoming evident that when mental health
services are available there may be reductions in the costs of physical health care, increases in
productivity and reduced demands on other social services and the criminal justice system (e.g. Conti
& Burton 1994, Smith et al. 1996, von Korff et al. 1998). Some of these offsets may not be observed
for a considerable time. In respect of interventions for children, for example, the payoffs are associated
with the avoidance of mental, social and legal problems in adulthood.
Mental health is a complex subject in the USA because it includes substance abuse, inpatient care,
residential care, outpatient care, and homelessness. Its effects are broad and affects productivity,
families and society, safety and the justice system, co-morbidity with the larger health care system.
In the United States, Chris Weiss researched and wrote that “one of the biggest untreated problems
in the United States affecting everything from social relationships to employment is mental health.
Many do not receive the care they need, mostly for financial reasons.”
He added: “Around 25% of adults experience a mental health issue in a given year, yet less than 1
in 3 adults receives services. According to the CDC, around 50% of Americans will experience some
mental health issues over their lifetimes. The rate of mental health issues in the U.S. is abnormally
high, and lack of treatment options is only making this worse.
Health Care in itself often lacks the political punch necessary to achieve change. As such Mr. Weiss
added “The estimated impact in terms of loss of productivity in the workplace is around $63 billion.
Only a small percentage of these diagnoses consist of severe problems such as schizophrenia, but the
impact of other more treatable forms of mental disorders is undeniable”.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recently released the results from
its 2011 national survey on mental health. One of the most disturbing results in this survey is that
only 38% of individuals with mental health issues have received appropriate services.
The volume of expense in total health care and for mental health care can be compared in the following
charts. In 2008, the total per capital cost for health care was over $7500, the highest in the world.
44
Figure 1: Per Capita health care spending (Source: Kaiser Foundation).
In comparison, the per capita expenditure in 2006 for mental health was between $1500 and $1900
respectively for adults and children.

Figure 2: Mental health expenditures (Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's
(AHRQ's) Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)).
The National Institute on Health reports: “The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA) examines the mental health treatment each year through the National
Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). In 2008, 13.4 percent of adults in the United States
received treatment for a mental health problem. This includes all adults who received care in
inpatient or outpatient settings and/or used prescription medication for mental or emotional
problems.”
45

Figure 3: Mental health use and serious mental health among adults (Source: SAMHSA).
And “SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) also found in 2008 that just
over half (58.7 percent) of adults in the United States with a serious mental illness (SMI) received
treatment for a mental health problem. Treatment rates for SMI differed across age groups, and the
most common types of treatment were outpatient services and prescription medication.”
Another comparison of the size of mental health expenditures is shown by a study commissioned
by the Kaiser Foundation in 2010. It was found that in 2005 mental health expenditures in the USA
totaled $135 Billion while total health care expenditures totaled $1.9 Trillion.
Figure 4: Behavioral health and all health expenditures by Payer 2006 (Source: SAMHSA).
Clearly, mental health and outpatient is an important part of health care but not the dominant part
of the health care industry in the United States.
46
CONTEXT
Mental health care has migrated from inpatient and residential institutionalization at 64% in 1986 to
33% in 2005 and managing patients through outpatient care and medication (prescription drugs) at
33% in 1986 to 60% in 2005.
Figure 5: Distribution of mental health expenditures by type of service, 1986 and 2005 (Source:
SAMHSA).
Since this movement was gradual and community and often non-profit based it did not create large
design projects or programs. As this began to change, the role of a community based response to
mental health did not lend itself to large projects and as such attracted less attention. As such the
development of the design guidelines and examples of outpatient mental health facilities are not
as well documented. Some of the most complete work is included in the Department of Veterans
Affairs Office of Design and Construction Design Guidelines dated 2010. Other major health care
organizations and universities have developed design guidelines but we have not found sections
dedicated to mental health. As such, this paper will later discuss the methodology used to help guide
planning and design through participatory involvement of the providers and patients/clients.
Changes in national legislation have brought greater attention to mental health and the need for
outpatient services. As health care issues and access to health care have occupied much of the demand
for change in health care policy in the USA, mental health has been a part of the change. By 2010
over 40 million in the USA did not have health care insurance. That figure has been on the increase.
In addition, coverage has not covered several items such as preexisting conditions and mental health.
That has now changed with the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
(PPACA).
Access is Now Mandated: The new access to mental health care has created a drive to provide new
directions and programs for delivery of mental health care services. Early intervention and delivery of
mental health care to the general population has always been important and now access to mental
health care is mandated. The PPACA has now mandated access and the programs for outpatient
mental health care are intended to have greater impact in reducing rates of hospitalization and
incarceration and improve community health and security.
47
In addition, the national funding agencies are focusing on the integration of mental health and physical
health.
Integrated Care Models: In the USA there are two major agencies which are responsible for Federal
programs in primary care and for mental health care. They are respectively the Health Resources
Services Administration (HRSA) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA). One of the new programs being tested is called Primary Care Integration (PCI).
The program has involved funding to primary care facilities known as Federally Qualified Health
Centers (FQHC) and not for profit mental health agencies. Many of the mental health agencies have
provided care for the same patients as FQHCs and the match seemed quite reasonable. Thus what
seems intuitively simple also begins to uncover attributes which set these two types of care apart and
exposes care models and environments including design criteria.
This focus on integration of physical health or the typical primary care operations and mental health
outpatient care has brought focus to the differences in operational models and facilities.
“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity” (World Health Organization 1948)
“A sad soul can kill you quicker than a germ.” (John Steinbeck)
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PHYSICAL HEALTH CARE AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN THE
OUTPATIENT SETTING
On one hand, the patient is the same person but the way care is delivered in the physical health
operation is quite different than in the mental health environment.
1. In mental health the patient is often referred to as the client or the consumer. This distinction
may seem minor at first but it carries deeper into the relationship between the patient and
the doctor or the client and the provider or the consumer and the clinician.
2. In physical health the symptoms are usually “physically” apparent either through direct
observation or tools which allow for imagery to confirm there is a physical aliment. This is not
the case with mental health conditions. The assessment process is most important and prior
to this there should be no assumption.
3. Primary Care: In physical health the treatment and cure are to eliminate the physical
abnormality and allow the body to heal or go back to a recognized state of normality. This
may take a single or a few treatments but the cure is the objective.
4. Mental Health: In mental health the objective is considerably different. The treatment is not
an occasion but a plan. The objective is stabilization and maintenance which is more likely
than not long term.
5. Frequency: In primary care (physical health) a continuum of care may result in the patient
seeing the doctor four times a year. That is considered a pattern which provides adequately
for health maintenance. In mental health the client may see the doctor or clinician/therapist,
and often does, three to four times a month. The frequency of visits is entirely different. This
difference suggests how the space is perceived and patterns in operations and orientation
affect the client/patient.
48
Figure 6: Average mental health visits per year and physical health visits per year for primary
care integration patients (Source: ACMHS and AHS).

Figure 7: Expected daily activity load for providers in mental health vs. expected daily activity
load for physician or nurse providers in physical health (Source: ACMHS and AHS).
6. Design focus: The focus on functional planning of the rooms and equipment for physical
health is usually in developing the space to efficiently address the functions for the physician
and nurse. In mental health the concentration is more centered on the patient and patient
behavior (such as using neutral colors and limited or small patterns to reduce any distractions),
including safety and security (items should be bolted down or not included in the room) when
dealing with the severely mentally ill (SMI). Natural light is greatly desired in both mental
health and physical health settings and in both settings it is considered a healing attribute.
7. Furnishings and focus: The standard treatment room in physical health and its parameters
are also different. In the case of a mental health treatment room, the serenity of the space
should dominate and the treatment is primarily through discussion. Seating therefore takes
precedence to the exam table. That said there are the attributes of focus and safety for both
the patient and the clinician as mentioned above.
8. Electronic medical records: The advent of the computer and electronic health records has
resulted in a desire to complete the record and notes as soon as possible so that billing
can take place as soon as possible. It is not uncommon to have the provider focused on
49
the computer while asking questions to the patient and glance between the patient and the
computer. In mental health the focus is the patient and while there may be a computer in
the room, the focus is entirely on the patient, as it should be. It is now encouraged that the
physical health provider complete and close notes while the patient is in the exam room or as
soon as possible. Notes are completed after the session in most cases in mental health often
with time to contemplate the session.
9. Visit/session time: The mental health ‘session’ is typically 50 minutes. The primary care visit/
encounter/session has been driven by a business model which requires the provider to see
approximately 20 patients per day to financially break even. That results in an approximate
20 minute visit time per patient, and the physician time is anywhere from 7 ½ to 10 minutes
under this model. The remainder of the time in physical health contact or encounter is by the
nurse and support staff.

Figure 8: Minutes for typical mental health vs. physical health visits (Source: ACMHS and AHS).

Figure 9: Client contact minutes per year for mental health and patient contact minutes per year for
physical health (Source: ACMHS and AHS).
50
Figure 10: Clinician contact per visit with client in mental health vs. physician or nurse practitioner
contact per physical health visit (Source: ACMHS and AHS).

Figure 11: Client contact with clinician per year in mental health vs. patient contact with physician or
nurse practitioner in physical health (Source: ACMHS and AHS).
51
THE CASE STUDY

The case study involves a non-profit which provides mental health and disability services. The Asian
Community Mental Health Service (ACMHS) is a nonprofit organization established over 40 years ago
in 1974. Organizations such as these are often referred to as agencies. The patients or clients in this
agency are predominately Asian and have severe to moderate mental health care needs. ACMHS has
a staff of approximately ninety composed of psychiatrists, psychologists, case managers, therapists,
and a few support staff. Three major activities dominate the agency; mental health assessment and
counseling, developmental disability case management, and outreach to the community to assist in
better use of community resources.
The clients or patients are both adult and children and there are approximately 672 mental health
clients and 1231 developmental disability clients at any one time. The developmental disability clients
are almost entirely seen off site during home visits and planned encounters. The outreach events are
also handled off site in almost all cases.

Figure 12: Distribution of ACMHS clients by program (Source: ACMHS).
Recently, the agency has developed an integrated form of care delivery with a local primary care
agency, Asian Health Services (AHS), thus offering physical health services to the severely mentally
ill. Of the approximate 270 severely mentally ill, approximately 130 elected to join the group which
provides physical health services.
A unique attribute of this agency is the diversity of the Asian population served. The staff composition
also reflects the community in language and cultural competence.
52

Figure 13: Distribution of ACMHS clients by ethnicity (Source: ACMHS).
The facilities of the agency total approximately 17,000 square feet on three floors of an older and
historically registered building in Oakland, California. The agency has been in this facility for over
thirty years, moving from suite to suite over the years. The agency currently occupies space on all
three floors of the building. The physical health setting is in the same building but is in retail space
leased by the primary care provider.
Figure 14: ACMHS at 310 8th Street, Oakland CA (Source: ACMHS).
The design component of this paper involves the comprehensive planning process to survey, analyze,
program and plan their physical environment for a better experience by patients and improved care
for patients.
The planning and design process proceeded along Lean and Integrated Project Development
methodologies. A six step process shown below is based on decision points:
53
Figure 15: Integrated six step decision point planning process.
Decision Point 1: The formality of the decision management system allowed the project to stay
focused. The underlying methodology for planning came from three sources, Bioteaming Manifesto
by Ken Thompson and Robin Good for organizing communications; Problem Seeking by William Pena
for planning methodology; and Toyota Way by Jeffery Liker for management principles:

Figure 16: Book covers; The Bioteaming Manifesto, Problem Seeking, The Toyota Way.
Organizing for planning is critical to a successful effort.
Borrowing from Bioteaming Manifesto, communications were of a ‘blast’ mode rather than selecting
specific individuals and directing information or questions to them. As much as possible all staff
were included in all notices, correspondence and issues through being copied in email. Data and
information was stored in a shred drive on the computer server, but staff was not directed to go to the
server, they were sent the information. The server stored information for retrieval.
Managing the undertaking requires clarity as to who will have data input privileges, strategic input,
subjective input and finally decision making power. In this case, all staff were invited to all meetings for
input, review and comment, and the supervisors and managers were expected to be in attendance. The
Executive Director made all final decisions and participated in all meetings which greatly accelerated
the process.
54
In addition the data and thoughts were all captured or posted ‘on the wall’ and created a transparency
in the planning process such that for all staff who could not make it to the meetings would be able to
understand the direction and detail of the planning and its’ progress. In addition there was a separate
section of wall relegated to issues and all staff were invited to pin up thoughts and issues which were
discussed for resolution so that planning would be based on a solid and well resolved foundation.
Decision Points 2 through 4: The organization of data so this process could achieve success was
based on the five areas contained in Problem Seeking, mentioned earlier. These five categories are
as follows:

Figure 17: Problem seeking data organizational structure (Source: Problem Seeking by William Pena).
Data containing demographics, disorders, patients, staff, expenses, comparative analysis regarding
other agencies, projections, were all captured and tested in the planning sessions. A critical step in
the planning process is to have a shared memory of data based on facts not assumptions. Without
this, the decisions made are subject to change because of a different basis of understanding the facts
regarding the matter.
While there was considerable computer based data analysis it has been found that a system of “low
tech – high touch” graphics and communications was more effective in opening up conversation with
staff, providers and consumers. As such, the analysis cards are limited to one thought each, with the
ability to focus on one issue or fact and the group can agree or disagree. Thus keep or dismiss the
information as relevant to the planning.
Post-it notes were used to help analyze current activities, processes and flows. Groups large and
small met to validate and confirm information and to develop concepts for process maps and planning
criteria.

Figure 18: ACMHS programming, planning, process mapping sessions (Source: ACMHS).
55
Part of the analysis and confirmation stage involved the space, environmental conditions, and
operational models for space use. There are two basic forms of facility organization for mental health
counseling/treatment facilities. In simple terms, there are shared treatment or counseling rooms
where the clinician or provider meets with the patient/client and the clinician’s office is elsewhere;
such as at ACMHS. In other settings, the clinician has an office where the patient is seen; such as
the PATH program in Oakland, California. In other settings there are shared spaces or counseling/
treatment rooms.

Figure 19: Alternative counseling spaces – PATH office vs. ACMHS rooms.
At ACMHS there are a series of rooms, all different. As a part of an effort to review the effectiveness
of the operations, processes, and to be able to establish guidelines for planning an evaluation of the
treatment spaces was conducted. Using an integrated and lean process, the survey of spaces was
developed which included clinicians and clients/patients as participants. Two processes were used.
Both an interview process and a voting process were used to establish preferences and opinions.
The entire clinical staff was asked to participate along with the Consumer Advisory Board composed
of client/patients. For the graphic voting technique each participant was given five dots of five colors.
Each color represented a range from excellent to poor. They reviewed and scored eleven rooms by
placing the dots on a scoring sheet in front of the room. The fact that they were given five dots and not
eleven was planned. The participants were to evaluate the ones they liked and most disliked.
In addition to the dots, a large pouch was also placed in front of the room. Comment cards and writing
instruments were available next to the pouch. Comments were encouraged. Room 3 received the
highest number of excellent blue dots while room 6A had the poorest marks - red dots.

Figure 20: Evaluation of the favorite counseling space, Room 3 (Source: ACMHS).
56

Figure 21: Evaluation of the most disliked counseling space, Room 6A (Source: ACMHS).
The comments were primarily in five major categories on both the comment cards and in the interviews
and were as follows:
Lighting, Room Size, Furnishings, Equipment, Color.
Aside from general comments, nothing became a particular driver for planning and design. Natural
lighting (windows to the exterior) was a major desire. The room sizes, while all different were not an
issue. Furnishings continued to favor lounge chair seating as opposed to an office like seating.
While the room with natural lighting, Room 3, was favored the second most desired room was one
with bright colors, Room 10.

Figure 22: Evaluation of the second most liked counseling space, Room 10 (Source: ACMHS).
57
The process led to a plan for a future treatment or counseling room. The conclusion is a simple yet
elegant room shown below:
Figure 23: New planned ACMHS counseling space with a yellow arrow showing the ability for the
clinician to leave the room quickly if the client became violent (Source: ACMHS).
The location of the clinician near the door is a critical element for safety and need for the clinician to
be able to exit in an emergency.
58
Other plans were analyzed from published guidelines were unacceptable because of these same
issues where the clinician can be blocked from exiting:
Figure 24: Example of a VA design guideline space showing the difficulty for the clinician to leave
quickly if the client shown as the red arrow blocks the clinician shown as the yellow arrow (Source:
Veterans Administration, Office of Design and Construction, Design Guidelines).
Decision Point 5: Following the development of the typical counseling room the process used ‘gaming’
to establish locational and affinity plans for the operational groups and then the spaces within those
groups.

Figure 25: ACMHS gaming session (Source: ACMHS).
Gaming led to the formation of conceptual responses including the development of additional
naturally lit treatment/counseling rooms (shown in purple) and a larger and more inviting waiting/
reception room (shown in beige).
59
Figure 26: Conceptual plan for new treatment/counseling rooms and a new waiting/reception room
(Source: ACMHS).
Decision Point 6: The final process is a review of the conceptual plans and reaffirmation of all the
previous decisions including restatement of goals, confirmation of facts which drive patient loads,
tests of concepts including the process maps for each function, review of needs including staffing and
resources, and finally the confirmation of the statements of the problem which then lead into final
reviews and design documentation.

Figure 27: Review and Confirmation of Conceptual Plans (Source: ACMHS).
60
SUMMARY
While this paper has not provided comprehensive guidelines for mental health facilities, it has
highlighted the following:
1. Mental health is an important part of communities and health care. And now mental health
care is an equal to primary health care as defined by the new Patient Protection and Affordable
Care Act.
2. Mental health care operations and facilities are different than physical health or primary care
and as such require different responses.
3. Counseling and treatment space in mental health care facilities must be developed with a
concentration on the behavioral health client and the security of the clinician.
4. Lean and integrated processes such as Problem Seeking and Bioteaming methodologies are
well suited to the evaluation, analysis, and decision management which leads to effective
planning and design of mental health facilities.
5. Interactive participation and transparency of all information by posting on the walls so that all
parties can participate is important to durable decisions.
“Diseases of the soul are more dangerous

and more numerous than those of the body” ~Cicero
61
AUTHOR INDEX
THE ROLE OF THE ARCHITECT & THE ‘ART OF THE DEAL’: PROFESSIONAL SERVICE 8
AGREEMENTS_THE REAL DEAL (ISSUE)
Ian Alexander
CHANDIGARH FROM THE EYES OF AN INSIDER: AN APPROACH TO DISCOVER THE

15
PSYCHO-SOCIAL INTEGRITY OF THE INDIAN LIFESTYLE IN AN ARCHITECURALLY
CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT
Anandita
DISTRESS ROAD TOURS: BUILDING EMPATHY ONE CONVERSATION AT A TIME 21

Wes Janz, Olon Dotson
ECOLOGICAL CATHARSIS THROUGH URBAN ACUPUNCTURE 26

Ali Arsalan Pasha Siddiqui
31
GLOBAL ISSUES AND CITIES
Gaetan Siew
PLANNING AND DESIGN RELATED TO A CRITICAL GLOBAL COMMUNITY NEED – 43

MENTAL HEALTH CARE: A MUCH NEEDED FOCUS
Philip Patrick Sun
62
International Union of Architects
South African Institute of Architects
SPONSORS
Department of Public Works
eThekwini Municipality
Durban Tourism
South African Council for the Architectural Profession
KwaZulu-Natal Institute of Architects
PPC Cement
Italtile
Barrisol
HP
Intel
SUPPORTERS
MEDIA PARTNERS

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Design and Layout

UIA 2014 DURBAN GENERAL REPORTER-APPOINTED SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE: MEMBERS AND

Clinton Aigbavboa, Department of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying, University of

UIA 2014 DURBAN SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

UIA 2014 DURBAN ORGANISATION COMMITTEE

UIA 2014 DURBAN SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME SUPPORT

UIA 2014 DURBAN CONGRESS SPECIAL PAPERS AND PROJECTS

UIA 2014 CATEGORIES OF PARTICIPATION FOR AUTHORS AND PRESENTERS

THE ROLE OF THE ARCHITECT & THE ‘ART OF THE DEAL’

1. The Role of the Architect

The Professional Code of Conduct published by SACAP, Board Notice 154/2009

1. The Scope of the work (project) is to be defined

2. The Context for the Architect’s Service

3. Professional Service Agreements (PSAs)

1. Comply with the ‘Code of Conduct’

This has resulted in a new approach, ensconced in a letter described as: –

“OFFER TO PROVIDE INITIAL PROJECT SERVICES FOR DEFERRED REMUNERATION”

7. Authority of the Agent

8. Responsibility and Liability

Changes to Professional Service Agreements, many of them Client generated, or by amendment

Architectural Professionals should be required, in no uncertain terms, to contract properly, as in so

Get the … Business Arrangement

‘agreed and signed’, so that they can get on with the

Architects have a distinct Edge, or EDGES

The Creative Edge

10. What do I need to do to earn my money?

Do not market their practice adequately

11. In every kind of business ….

1. It must be the recognizable product in a recognizable container

Ian Alexander 2014 – 06 – 16

CHANDIGARH FROM THE EYES OF AN INSIDER: AN APPROACH TO DISCOVER THE PSYCHO-

Anandita, Chandigarh College of Architecture, India, Anandita.cca@Gmail.com

Figure 2: The plan of the city

Figure 1: Le Corbusier with the grid iron plan of

Evenson, N., 1966, Chandigarh, University of California Press, Berkeley, CA.

DISTRESS ROAD TOURS: BUILDING EMPATHY ONE CONVERSATION AT A TIME

Keywords:empathy, Rust Belt, post-industrial, [r]evolution, abandonment.

We prefer something simpler: road tour.

ECOLOGICAL CATHARSIS THROUGH URBAN ACUPUNCTURE

KEYWORDS: Urban Acupuncture, Neural Network, Sustainable Neighbourhoods

CITY AS A NEURAL NETWORK

URBAN PRESSURE POINTS

THE ARCHITECTURE NEEDLE

Cullen, G (1961) Townscape, London: Architectural Press

Heylighen, F (1989) ‘Self-Organization, Emergence and the Architecture of Complexity’, Proceedings

Lefebvre, H (1991) The Production of Space, Oxford: Basil Blackwell: France

Lerner, J (2003) Acupuntura Urbana, Rio de Janeiro: Record

Silva Mora, N (2013), ‘Urban Acupuncture Projects as a Slum Upgrading Process:

GLOBAL ISSUES AND CITIES

Keywords: globalisation, trends, cities, mobility, identity.

The World: Contrasted territories – global imbalances

Figure 1: World map of inequality income.

Power and complexity of networks

In search of new partnerships

Our future: Global governance and civil societies?

Economy and globalisation

Figure 2: Lampedusa boat people.

Figure 3: Overcrowded Venice – 22m tourists per year.

Figure 4: Kinshasa and Lagos – everyday scenario.

Figure 5: Minhacidade, Sao Paulo – Obsolete

The goods themselves become objects

GLOBALISATION AND IDENTITY

Global culture market