Unfamiliar cultures

Now, more than half of the earths population live in cities and the immigration is becoming increasingly manifest. By 2050 it is calculated that the urban population will constitute two thirds of the worlds population. The shapers of society re faced with a challenge – how is the city of the future to be built? The cities increase spontaneously and the slum areas increase. Poverty and overcrowding is to be overcome and people are to be given endurable living conditions, i.e. a sustainable city and a sustainable every day life. (UN 7:th Millenium Development Goal). The life supporting system of the city and people is in focus.

A dynamic system thinking is applied, emphasising architecture and design as tools of change. The project contains a long duration field study and is based on experience based learning. ‘Universe City Design’ is based on field studies in urban environment in Africa. By comparing different situations and cultures the understanding of what is general and what is specific is increased. The point of departure is processes of change in peoples everyday life and activities and the students are presented with opportunities to develop an increased understanding of fuure needs and to define new fields within architecture and design. The course deals with what architecture and design does, over time, rather than what it is. The approach contains the question of how design and architecture can contribute to development work.

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