Part 3 Re—-Work Symposium argument summary and analysis
Re—-work: Mediating the future city symposium presented design based observations, principles and precedents that have evolved to de ne the future of how an urban space is being used by identifying the changing traits, user needs and ecological sustenance urgency within urban projects. Speakers Ojay McDonald, Daniel Elsea, Marco Casagrande and Phineas Harper are professionals with work experience in urban project research, conceptualisation, designing and onsite execution with respect to their own urban ideologies and expertise. The integration of sustainable elements within the future projects was an important argument presented. Taking lessons from the traditional and vernacular knowledge to inculcate within the progressing urban fabric and how it can be executed was a major discussion point within the symposium. The rapid pace of technological advancement and the need to direct it into creating a city that is more resilient as well as inclusive describes the reality of unprecedented domination of technology in the urban lives especially sparked by the way cities are being used during a pandemic.
A common thread observed within the symposium was the optimistic outlook towards the use of spaces post the covid pandemic.
Ojay McDonald’s futuristic presentation of the three interconnected revolutions that will determine the urban future highlighted the rate of change due to the intensive development of technology in the time period of a global pandemic. The disconnect between the user groups, the policy makers and managers of urban activities due to varied information consumption on social media can result in unprecedented outcomes at how space is being consumed and explored. This he terms as ‘The social revolution’ where technology is becoming increasingly easy to use and customise by younger age groups. With the customisation and personalisation of technology comes ‘The industrial revolution’ where a shift in the trends of technology is reframing the use of space and place especially observed by the decreasing use of o ce space during the pandemic. Involvement of technology in the way we make payments, consume entertainment and retail has caused a shift in the nature of employment but the same technology must be used to create spaces that explore social experiences within the urban spaces. The pace of innovation must also be explored in the creation of smart sources of energy that are decentralised and independent just like the future need to create communities that are independent of vehicular movement while sourcing their daily needs. ‘The environmental revolution’ must address the role of urbanism in the climate emergency faced globally.
Daniel Elsea demonstrated how a conventional de nition of a place conceived as a paradise can change when crisis takes over urban living conditions. As cities are regaining their usual footfall after the easing of national lockdown rules, people are seen using urban locations in newer ways than before as he displayed the image of people sitting on the stairs of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Finding pockets of paradise within the city and activating more synergetic use of public realm is an outdoor activity observed during various times of crisis from the indoor con nement during lockdowns or during a pro democratic movements and protests (as displayed during the democracy protests of Hong Kong which Elsea has written a dissertation about).
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