Spatial Tensions in Urban Design: Understanding Contemporary Urban Phenomena

Description

This book provides an original research perspective to the field of contemporary urban conflicts. Even though violent conflicts have transformed cities during the XX century, it is nowadays possible to identify the phenomenon of “Tensions” as a specific contemporary both social and spatial urban changes catalyst. Through a collection of essays from various disciplines focusing on international case studies―from India to Europe to Latin America― the publication explores the multifaceted concept of “spatial tensions” as a lens for better understanding contemporary urban transformations. While tensions often depend on spatial dispositives and superstructures, they also offer a powerful key for design practices and strategies. Contents Part I The Janus-faced Concept of Spatial Tensions 1 A New Vision Regarding Spatial Tensions in Urban Design 1.1 The Beginning of a Long Research Project 1.2 What Are Spatial Tensions? 1.2.1 Lean Conflicts 1.2.2 About Conflict 1.2.3 Seasons 1.2.4 Literature 1.2.5 The Role of Space 1.3 What is Tension Today? 1.3.1 Forces, Balance, and Space 1.3.2 The Objective and Structure of the Book References Part II Spatial and Design Perspectives 2 Extractivism as a Field of Tensions 2.1 The Extractivist Discourse 2.1.1 Places 2.2 Industrial Mines, Filament Systems and Spatial Enclaves 2.3 ‘Artisanal’ Mines, Stratified Spaces 2.4 Baroque Textures References 3 Urban Society in Tension: The Santiago’s Commune 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Framing Neoliberalism in Santiago 3.3 Plaza Baquedano: Landmark, Contestation and Oppression 3.4 The Commune of Santiago 3.5 Towards a Destituent Power 3.6 Conclusion References 4 Latent Tensions and Urban Change in Two Milan Neighbourhoods 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Emerging Tensions and Grassroots Activism in Corvetto and Via Padova 4.3 Tensions and Urban Transformation References 5 Fear and Segregation: Anxiety Beyond Gated Communities. The Costa Rican Case 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Fear of Crime and Built Environment 5.3 Walls and Segregation 5.4 Recording the Spatial Tensions 5.5 The Outside: Tensions Beyond the Gate 5.5.1 Residential Segregation 5.5.2 Walls and Preconceptions 5.5.3 Overwhelming Growth, Involuntary Enclosure 5.5.4 Distribution of Fear of Crime 5.5.5 A Perspective on the Tensions in Gated Communities of Costa Rica References 6 Design as a Tool to Ground Rights in the Case of Cavallerizza Reale in Turin 6.1 Common(s) Tensions 6.2 The Cavallerizza Reale: An Urban Riddle 6.3 Public Property and Common Use 6.4 As Soon as Possible 6.5 Ordinary and Site-Specific Rights 6.6 Conclusions: Urban Design as a Tool to Ground Rights References 7 From Tensions to Design: Building Inclusion with Roma Communities in Milan 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Roma Camps, An Italian Phenomenon. What About Roma’s Living Conditions in Milan? 7.3 A Wicked Problem Requiring a Change of Perspective 7.4 ERSILIA Lab’s Places: The Camp, The CAT, and The Neighbourhood 7.5 ERSILIA Lab’s Process 7.6 A Contradictory Governance 7.7 Final Remarks References 8 “The Beach is Boring”. The Collective Space of Co-living 8.1 Public–Private Gradient 8.2 Soviet Oversized Communal Space 8.3 The Collective Space of Co-living References 9 The Two Faces of Matera: Diachronic Narratives of Changing Perspectives on Heritage 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Matera and the Southern Question in the Post-War Period: The Sassi and the Impact on the Public and Disciplinary Debate 9.3 La Martella as a Manifesto: Policies, Urban Planning, Social Disciplines 9.4 The “Sassi Redevelopment” Neighborhoods: Architecture and Planning Dialoguing with Social Instances 9.5 Reconsidering the Sassi: From the 1970s to Nowadays 9.6 Divergent Ideas of the City and the Heritage References 10 Design Experimentation in a Context of Cultural Division: The Case of Ahmedabad 10.1 The Cultural Background: Ahmedabad and the Reasons for a Disputed Territory 10.2 Ahmedabad: A Politically Emblematic City 10.3 Types of Border in the Urban Fabric of Ahmedabad 10.4 The Historical Nucleus of Ahmedabad: A Sedimented System of Cultural Cohesion 10.5 The Structure of the Border: The Example of Dariyapur Road 10.6 Experimental Strategies in Cultural Division Contexts: A Flexible Approach 10.7 Functional Flexibility and Transformation of the Architectural Structure References 11 Resisting Gentrification by Reclaiming a Work–Life Balance. An Exercise of Research by Design in Brussels 11.1 Introduction 11.2 A Magnet, A Bubble, A Project of Doors 11.3 Individuals, Beyond Individualism: Spatial and Urban Dimensions of an Emancipatory Approach to Work 11.4 A Project of Doors 11.5 Conclusion References 12 Reconfiguring the Neoliberal City: Three Stories of Urban Pioneers in Berlin 12.1 The New Pressure on Land Hinders the Traditional Spontaneity of Berlin's Appropriation Initiatives 12.2 Holzmarkt: The Acquisition of Property as a Means of Emancipation 12.3 RAW Gelände: Negotiating Common Spaces for Socio-Cultural Uses 12.4 Haus der Statistik: Public Ownership and Private 174 Initiative Experiment with Cooperative Planning 12.5 Strategies of Reconfiguration References 13 Segregating Infrastructure: The Nazareth Border-Road 13.1 Introduction 13.1.1 Israeli Space Stratification 13.1.2 The Superior and Inferior Nazareth 13.1.3 Axis of Separation 13.2 Axis of Control 13.2.1 Axis of Encounter 13.3 Conclusions: Integration and Counter-Integration References Part III Tensions and Urban Projects 14 Out of the Public: The Archipelago Alternative 14.1 Tension Makes Alternative Governance Models 14.2 Biella, An Operational Landscape in Tension 14.3 Alliances in Tension Trigger Spatial Transformations References 15 Aging and Space. An Emerging Catalog of Spaces in Tension 15.1 New Geography of Territories Densely Inhabited by the Elderly 15.2 The Largest Theme Park in the World 15.3 Costa del Sol: The Largest European Retirement Resort 15.4 A Catalog of Spaces 15.5 Conclusion References 16 Spatial Tensions in Architectural Design: Strategies, Projects and Visions 16.1 The Concept of Tension in Architectural Design 16.2 Architecture, Tensions and Design: Places, Strategies and Visions 16.3 Transforming Milan: Stories and Projects with Different Endings and Open Questions 16.4 Architectural Tensions: A Premise on the Recent Projects in Milan 16.5 Porta Nuova: Designing a New Public Ground 16.6 City Life: The Iconic Architectures of a New Future 16.7 New Perspectives: The Role of Tensions as a Tool for Architectural Design References 17 Common Spaces: Collective Practices for Places of Transition 17.1 Introduction. About commons 17.1.1 Turin. A City in Transition 17.2 Apparent Stalemate. Spatial Tensions as a Restarting Point 17.3 Observing Turin Using Experimental Forms of Construction of Common Assets References