Course detail

Tradition and the New Urbanism

FAST-TG55Acad. year: 2020/2021

An overview of current international, traditionally-oriented conceptions of architecture, urban planning and the development of the cultural landscape from the 1960s up to the present: their forms, motivation, methodology and ideology, with an emphasis on the New Urbanism programme. A critical reflection oftheory and executed work in relation to the possibilities of application in the Czech environment.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

3

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Learning outcomes of the course unit

The students will achieve the aim of the subject, i.e. gain orientation in the contemporary tendencies of traditionally-oriented architecture, the construction of settlements and development of the cultural landscape. As part of the seminar, they will translate an as-yet-untranslated key programme text into Czech.

Prerequisites

The subject draws from the knowledge of history, theory and composition of architecture which was gained during the bachelor’s degree course. An adequate passive knowledge of English or other relevant world languages is expected.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Not applicable.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Not applicable.

Course curriculum

1. Traditional urbanism, the cultural landscape and its reflection in the first half of the 20th century - C. Sitte, M. Dvořák, E. Lutyens
2. Reviews of modernist urban constructions and "the great devastation of the landscape" – H. Sedlmayr, J. Gehl, J. Jacobs and Post-Modernism
3. L. Krier, HRH Prince Charles and Poundbury, European Initiatives (Urban Resistance, INTBAU)
4. New Urbanism – A. Duany, E. Plater-Zyberk, development in the USA
5. Humanistic and holistic concepts – C. Alexander
6. Fractals and “biophilia” – traditional forms, materials and technologies as a reflection of physical and biological order in the world – N. Salingaros, E. O. Wilson
7.-12. Seminars: presentation of the students` translations of important theoretical texts, their analysis and reviews
13. Conclusion: the situation in the Czech Republic, discussion regarding possibilities of application

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

Gaining of orientation in contemporary tendencies in traditional architecture, urban planning and the development of the cultural landscape. Production of Czech translations of key programme texts (mainly from English), analysis, critical reflection and evaluation of them in relation to the conditions in the Czech Republic will be carried out as part of the seminar.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Extent and forms are specified by guarantor’s regulation updated for every academic year.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

SEDLMAYR, H.: Demolovaná krása. Státní ústav památkové péče Praha, 1992. (CS)
GEHL, J.: Život mezi budovami: Užívání veřejných prostranství. Brno, 2000. 80-85834-79-0. (CS)
KRIER, L.: Architektura – volba nebo osud. Academia Praha, 2001. 8020000127. (CS)
SALINGAROS, N.: A Theory of Architecture. Umbau Verlag Solingen, 2006. 978-3937954073. (EN)
SITTE, C.: Stavba měst podle uměleckých zásad. Brno, 2012. 9788087318218. (CS)

Recommended reading

HRH PRINCE CHARLES PRINCE OF WALES: A Vision of Britain. Doubleday London, 1989. 978-0385269032. (EN)
DOWLING, E. M.: New Classicism: The Rebirth of Traditional Architecture. Rizzoli New York, 2004. 978-0847826605. (EN)
Alexander Christopher: The Nature of Order I-IV. Berkeley, 2005. (EN)
ADAM, R., HARDY, M. (ed.): Tradition Today: Continuity in Architecture and Society. INTBAU London, 2007. (EN)
Hardy Matthew ed.: The Venice Charter Revisited: Modernism, Conservation and Tradition in the 21st Century. Newcastle upon Tyne: CSP, 2008. 978-1847186881. (EN)
Dhiru A. Thadani: The Language of Towns & Cities: A Visual Dictionary. New York: Rizzoli, 2010. 978-0847834860. (EN)
DUANY, A., PLATER-ZYBERK, E., SPECK, J.: Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream. North Point Press, 2010. 978-0865477506. (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme N-P-C-A Master's

    branch ARS , 2. year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    branch ARS , 2. year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    branch ARS , 2. year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. Traditional urbanism, the cultural landscape and its reflection in the first half of the 20th century - C. Sitte, M. Dvořák, E. Lutyens 2. Reviews of modernist urban constructions and "the great devastation of the landscape" – H. Sedlmayr, J. Gehl, J. Jacobs and Post-Modernism 3. L. Krier, HRH Prince Charles and Poundbury, European Initiatives (Urban Resistance, INTBAU) 4. New Urbanism – A. Duany, E. Plater-Zyberk, development in the USA 5. Humanistic and holistic concepts – C. Alexander 6. Fractals and “biophilia” – traditional forms, materials and technologies as a reflection of physical and biological order in the world – N. Salingaros, E. O. Wilson 7.-12. Seminars: presentation of the students` translations of important theoretical texts, their analysis and reviews 13. Conclusion: the situation in the Czech Republic, discussion regarding possibilities of application

Exercise

13 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer