How is a “New Social Urbanism” possible if the hegemonic Western paradigm of space production revolves around the antisocial principle of the individualization of every aspect of life? asks Maria Reitano. Following Mark Gottdiener we have entered a new phase of global destabilization amplifying social deficits. However, Tatjana Schneider challenges us to engage with what causes these conditions. Because we already have many of the tools and the infrastructures needed to challenge the unequal, cynical, and anti-social system in which we operate as planners, as Christoffer Jusélius and Helen Runting clarify. We never know what new forms will emerge out of that, although if you think about democracy in a city as a role model, it is always very messy, as Sharon Zukin states, but according to her this may be what “New Social Urbanism” is all about.
MONU #34 - Protest Urbanism:
Our social media age marks a shift in form and forum, but when it comes to this issue’s theme of “Protest Urbanism” the need for and validity of having physical bodies in a public space still gives a protest its impact. It is these visceral encounters in physical spaces that trigger deeper and more emotional connections. This issue examines the myriad ways in which such activism manifests in the urban realm, as well as how protests can become breeding grounds for the evolution of urban agencies, functioning as organisms within the larger urban theatre in their call to recognise and reconstitute the fundamentally plural and relational forms of making and inhabiting the city.
MONU #33 - Pandemic Urbanism:
There is much to discuss regarding what kinds of changes and shifts the coronavirus pandemic might bring to cities. Some of these could be spatial, subtle changes triggered by social distancing, confinement, and lockdown measures, and others might be articulated in new modes of social interaction and domestic activities. There will certainly be long-term effects on politics, socioeconomics, culture, and the environment. This issue of ‘MONU’ addresses what effects pandemics have on cities, both today and in the past, and analyses their urban impact, yet also looks for new ideas and approaches that improve our dealings with the current situation in these strange times.
MONU #32 - Affordable Urbanism:
The creation of affordable urban spaces – whether for housing, working, infrastructure, or other functions – is a complex issue, as cost considerations must be balanced with important objectives like social usability, sustainability, aesthetics, etc. Moreover, urbanisation and gentrification have become synonymous to such an extent that they seem inescapably paired. The need to create more inclusive and affordable cities is paramount, as is the provision of proper shelter and places for creative and generative endeavour. Interviews with Jörn Walter and Annemie Depuydt and contributions from Will Hartely, Christopher de Vries, and others address these and related topics.
MONU #31 - After Life Urbanism:
New urban challenges and phenomena are emerging from recent changes in our society related to death and its consequences for cities and buildings. “After Life Urbanism” addresses the reengagement and coexistence with life and death, exploring what impacts such transformations might have in terms of spatial, cultural, social, environmental, and economic aspects. The topic includes a case for urban burial by Anya Domlesky, Miguel Candela’s images of families living in Manila’s cemeteries, life planning software developed by James Norris, Cameron Jamie’s photos of suburban Halloween decorations, virtual wakes on the internet, an interview with Karla Rothstein, and more.
MONU #30 - Late Life Urbanism:
The topic of “Late Life Urbanism” looks at how architecture and cities will be impacted in the future by societies that become increasingly older. According to Deane Simpson, an important group to consider is the “Young-Old” demographic, which corresponds to a shift from an ethos of care to one of leisure and entertainment. Other contributions include a photo-essay by Peter Granser portraying a large retirement community in Arizona, a range of urban interventions detailed by Chris Phillipson, an architectural project by Junya Ishigami for people with dementia in Japan, and Rafael Luna’s case study in Seoul on how technology will play a crucial role in improving elderly lives.
MONU #29 - Narrative Urbanism:
This issue opens with an interview with Cassim Shepard in which he talks about creating a better general culture of understanding around architecture, urban design, and urban development issues by using all of the narrative tools we have at our disposal. For instance, collective walks through lost parts of cities, as suggested by Nick Dunn and Dan Dubowitz, or by observing people’s stories and involving them in creative processes, depicted in Carolyn Drake’s photo-essay. This can even change the urban dynamics, says Kathleen Gmyrek, thereby leading to participatory narratives, while OMA’s Inge Goudsmit reminds us that architects are great storytellers, too.
MONU #28 - Client-shaped Urbanism:
The importance of the client in shaping our built environment, whether it comes to buildings, neighbourhoods, or entire cities, is not sufficiently included in urban and architectural discourse, and thus largely forgotten, underestimated, and neglected. This issue is dedicated to investigating the topic in depth, to discover clients’ values, objectives, fears, and motivations, and the consequences of all of this for cities and buildings. What kind of design methods should be developed for better partnerships and results? How can communication between clients and designers be advanced? Which projects might never have happened without an ambitious and creative client?
MONU #27 - Small Urbanism:
When it comes to urbanism, small things matter, and the various contributors to this issue illuminate this idea further in various ways. Liz Teston, for instance, captures the theme when she writes about the transient micro-urbanisms of protest architecture. Levi Bryant claims how we design things can make a real difference in our lives, both socially and physically. Our cities’ less visible infrastructure is exposed by Julian Oliver, reminding us of our dependence on a deeper physical reality, while Marco Casagrande shows how small-scale interventions can also serve as a design methodology, creating ripple effects and a transformation of the larger urban organism.
