Utopian Critique and Critical Urban Utopias – about the paradox of utopian critique (not) becoming a lived urban utopia

Activity: Talks and presentationsTalk or oral contributionScience to Public

Description

Urban Utopias, as planned and realized in the form of “new towns” (“Planstadt”) are the subject of this paper. They are planned and built with the best intentions, often as manifestations of a form of utopian city or ideal urban setting. Paradoxically, it turned out that many of these built structures come along with a lot of problems and downsides. Instead of freedom and fulfilment these former utopias mean confinement and frustration to their inhabitants.
By applying the theoretical framework “topography of critique” developed by Hakan Gürses (2006) to the case of built, planned and envisioned urban utopias in Japan, I try to show how urban utopias and urban critique are connected and how utopian city planning is sometimes hindering its own success.
I compare new towns from the 1970s (c.f. Tama New Town) and contemporary urban critiques (c.f. Shimokitazawa) to discuss questions like: How can static utopias fit a changing society? Are there dynamic urban utopias? How can we plan an ever-changing new town?
The discussion of these questions should depict the importance of studying forms of urban critique on a structural level and the necessity to re-evaluate the connection of urban planning to urban discourses.
Period23 Sep 2017
Event titleCultural Typhoon in Europe 2017: Beware, Utopia! Virtual, Actual And Past Visions of Urban Futures
Event typeConference
LocationNürnberg, GermanyShow on map
Degree of RecognitionInternational