Abstract

Who are the residents of our cities and what rights do they have? By escaping an anthropocentric mindset, we will explore and imagine a world that goes beyond human stakeholders. We will trace and analyse humans, the human-built environment, as well as non-human Nature within an urban context. What interactions exist and how, if at all, can possible conflicts be solved? The goal is to describe, design, and develop a common ground for novel concepts of urban co-existence.

Structure

The seminar consists of two 2-day workshops (in presence) in March and June respectively, five (online) classes, and design critique meetings as needed throughout the semester. The underlying focus of this course lies in a heightened awareness of the social, human-built and natural city. Guest speakers will share their expertise and participate in the final review.

During the first workshop, we will present an overview of the five main themes of the seminar, as well as its underlying focus, goal(s), and methodologies. The five themes are nature, tech, people, cities, and hybrids and co-existence. We will analyse urban stakeholders and their interactions at different locations in Vienna, using an incrementally sophisticated form of tracing and representation.

Each one of the online classes aims at diving deeper into the five main themes. We will cover:

- Nature: what is nature, rights of nature, etc.

- Tech: what is tech, rights of tech, etc.

- People: right to the city, how do different people perceive their environment differently?

- Cities: what makes a city a city? How does planning for mobility and encounters affect all stakeholders?

- Hybrids and Co-Existence: Parliament of Things, Future Assembly, hybrid stakeholders

Throughout the seminar, the participants are expected to develop and execute an idea for a project which documents urban co-existence of human and non-human stakeholders. The final project consists of a design exercise in a given format, e.g. a public art installation, a game, or a short movie, depending on the skills present in the group. The final workshop will consist of presentations, a jury review, and reflections.

Lecturers:

Katja Schechtner, MIT LCAU, Visiting Professor 

Alex Putzer, MIT LCAU & Sant'Anna Pisa, Lecturer

& Guest Lecturers

This course is linked to the course S04200 - Both courses can only be taken jointly and will be held at the same dates.  See: https://base.uni-ak.ac.at/courses/2022S/S04200/

Three aspects contribute equally to the final evaluation. At least two have to be evaluated positively to pass this class. 

The first aspect regards presence which is a requirement in this class as it is workshop based and will employ different ideation and design exercises - including outdoor elements at a nearby urban space.

The second aspect concerns active participation in the course as well as contribution to the discussion through the study and presentation of relevant literature and background material. Students will be asked to give reports on their progress throughout the term.

The third aspect consists of the design, constructive elaboration, and final presentation of a project where the conceptual quality of the design and the acquired constructive understanding will be assessed. This final aspect is obligatory.

No absence without prior excuse.

Additional meetings for design project critique upon email consultation.

This course is linked to the course S04200 - Both courses can only be taken jointly and will be held at the same dates. See: https://base.uni-ak.ac.at/courses/2022S/S04200/

The course will be held in English and German as needed (Fluency in English reading is necessary to participate in the course).

Students from other departments or universities will be given a place on the course subject to room capacities.