SEMINAR, WS 2013/2014
Dr. Paola Alfaro d’Alençon

Mapping Urbanities: Understanding participation driven urban development and collective design approaches. Case studies from Johannesburg, Mumbai and Santiago de Chile

In an international context, this research seminar seeks to explore and map the development of contemporary cities. The framework of analysis is provided by the EU funded URBAN LAB+ International Network of Urban Laboratories. Featuring a platform for dialogue and cooperation between various Urban Laboratories from Europe as well as from major regions of urban growth in South Africa, Asia, and Latin America, URBAN LAB+ provides international insights into participation practices and collective design approaches, looking at top-down as well as bottom-up strategies. The seminar will examine participation processes and collective design approaches in three specific case studies that correspond to the locations of the network’s upcoming cluster meetings: Johannesburg, South Africa (November 2013), Mumbai, India (November 2013) and Santiago de Chile, Chile (December 2013).  

You should be enthusiastic about exploring research centred representation strategies (mapping) as well as getting involved in an international network of students and researchers committed to mutual learning and cross-cultural exchange 

This seminar is embedded within and related to the Habitat Unit lecture series Global Cities Local Space and the seminar Research Papers.