Chapter 1 _ Complexity 1
P Cilliers, Complexity & Postmodernism: Understanding complex systems, Routledge, New York, 1998, p. ix 2
Cilliers, p. 2
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Cilliers, p. viii
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Cilliers, p. viii
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C Alexander, A pattern language, Oxford University Press, New York, 1977, p. xiii 6
It could be said that complexity is part of every
discipline. It is indeed a concept that can be applied to many
crucial element of study but rather the relationships in between them and with other constituents outside the network.
situations and can be defined in diverse ways depending on the field of study. From a designer point of view we will focus
Another engaging vision of complexity showcasing the
into different understandings from cybernetics, architecture
importance of the relationships while studying a complex
and philosophy that could provide us with an insight on the
system is the one proposed by architect Christopher Alexander.
complexity within urban design.
In his book, A pattern language, he attempts to break down the complexity of architectural design and city planning to a
Alexander, p. xiii
From a contemporary perspective, the advancement in
series of components that can be associated, controlled and
computational calculation and computer database of the last
corrected individually. These simple sets of different repetitive
two decades has sparked new visions of complexity in the
patterns form what he calls a language, like a unifying code.
postmodernist world. The work of Paul Cilliers, gives us an
In an attempt to propose a flawless solution or definition for
insight of a philosophical understanding of complexity through
each pattern, he explains that his approach tried to capture the
the approach of computational theory. In his case, there is not
invariable elements, but that an infinite number of possibilities
a single faultless theory of complexity but instead he argues
can be achieved depending on the preference of the user of the
that to understand a complex element it requires the analysis
language or of the local conditions it is applied to.5 Alexander
of a series of other related complex systems that compose
agrees on the impact of a new creation within the relations
the first element of study. Within his research on complexity,
of complex systems and wants to make this complexity
he comes up with an important conclusion: complex systems
controllable and more logical. He states: “when you build a
are not only formed by the sum of their components, but
thing you cannot merely build that thing in isolation, but most
specifically by the intertwined relationships between all
also repair the world around it, within it, so that the larger world
His vision of complexity elaborates a
at that one place becomes more coherent�.6 His theory within
very important point: the difference between complex and
the meaningful of the language, unveils as well the importance
complicated. He states that things like jumbo jet or computer
of relationship between elements forming complex systems.
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the components.
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are not complex but rather complicated because even by their large number of constituents, they can be explained by
The idea of relationship in the complexity of urbanisation
a complete description of their individual parts. On the other
can be linked to an economic standpoint by the work of
hand in the case of complexity, the interactions within the
economist David Harvey. He proposes a necessary vision of
organisation or the interactions with the environment cannot
the relationships between the economy, politics and the city.
be fully understood by simply studying its constituents. Here
In his article, Cities or Urbanization, he illustrates that the
the main characterisation of complexity is the network of
important elements that direct cities form and its architecture
interrelations, in which the details of each component is not the
are the economic and social aspects.7 Harvey exposes the
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Correlation between complexity and scale in urban design