FAR-FETCHED

Every spatial manipulation of a given environment triggers changes of an existing, complex system of mutual dependencies. As the natural and cultural environment is constituted by manifold reciprocal relationships between material and immaterial conditions, the particular temporal, geographical and socio-political situation make up the specific framework for adopting change. By means of selected examples, common paradigms of urban and spatial organizational principles are critically reflected in order to reassess their relevance in regard to actual political and societal dynamics.

Within a past-future scenario in 10 scale-jumps, this semester we speculate on future geographies of a European productive urban landscape, impacting Vienna. Special attention is given to the role and reasoning of the architectural, planning and spatial disciplines as a driving force to comprehend the past, current and future state of our built environment with an emphasis on the speculative and visionary power to alter our understanding of realty and/or realty itself. The course puts emphasis on shifting from a static understanding to a dynamic view over processes in time, the latter gaining again a central role in the understanding of what might be called a planetary spatial revolution in earthly urbanization.

Oral Exam / Presentation: graphical/written investigation of a given topic with negotiable focus, related to the subject of the course