The doubling of the Third World urban population - with a tripling of the urban footprint by 2030 - has forecast a vision of a frightening urban future. In the next 23 years, the land required for urban growth will equal that used in the past 6,000 years of human history. Moreover, this growth is projected to be predominantly low-rise, and inhabited by a largely poor population. The specter of informal massive squatter fringe settlements of the past has the potential to devastate our cities of the future. Speed and scale are the new challenges.
Lacking are viable proactive approaches for housing the low income population, and predictions for the future are grim if no innovative approaches are found and adopted. Environmental concerns exacerbate the problem. We must develop powerful creative strategies if we are to avoid an unthinkable future.
This course is a challenge-based, hands-on brainstorming of Third World urban issues, drawing on experts to excite and challenge us through progressive levels of exploration. A culminating workshop in Vietnam brings us back to reality.
Four challenges are posed:
- How do we understand and build awareness of the scale and speed issues in urban development?
- What will the future city be like?
- How will people be housed?
- How will people live together to maintain a civil society?
A closing presentation will highlight the current reality of international development agencies, followed by a field survey of the reality in the fringe squatter boom surrounding Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
4.291/11.190U 4.237G The Future Professional: Third World Urban Challenges Exploding the Future
Tuesday, Thursday 11:00-12:30, Room 9-255. Optional labs TBA.
Units: 3-0-6
Reinhard Goethert rgoethert@mit.edu
Haruka Horiuchi, TA haru@mit.edu
Class size limited; undergraduates priority
*Please see attachment for full description of class*
http://web.mit.edu/sigus/www/NEW/challengecourse/challengeindex.html
No comments:
Post a Comment