May 5th, 2009 | By: 
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Stanford Amr on 
Conference Complexity Theories of Cities have come of Age
Theme
Three decades of research have established the field of complexity theories of cities as a dominant approach to cities. Now that the field has come of age, it is time to stop for a moment, look back at what has been achieved, with appreciation, but also with sober criticism and then look forward at potentials that have yet to be realized.
As for potentials yet to be realized, this conference will explore the implications of complexity theories of cities to planning and urban design. As examples to what we have in mind consider, firstly, Mike Batty’s (2008) recent observation that “In the past 25 years, our understanding of cities has slowly begun to reflect Jacobs’s message. Cities are no longer regarded as being disordered systems. Beneath the apparent chaos and diversity of physical form, there is strong order …”. Secondly, Portugali’s (2008) criticism that “in their search for statistical data to feed their models practitioners of USM tend to overlook the non-quantifiable urban phenomena” and as a consequence, some of the central questions of 21st Century cities and urbanism”. As for potentials yet to be realized we would like to emphasis in this workshop the implications of CTC to planning and urban design.
Structure
The conference will be divided into three main parts:
- Complexity Theories of Cities: Achievements, criticism and potentials yet to be realized
- Complexity Theories of Cities: implications to Spatial Planning
- Complexity Theories of Cities: implications to Urban Design.
The conference spreads over 3,5 days, and consists of:
- Presentations by the keynote speakers
- Round table discussions on Dutch topics from practice (Randstad, Almere)
- A poster session for students
Venue
The conference takes place in the Berlageroom at BK City, the new faculty building of the TU Delft Faculty of Architecture.
More Info: http://complexitytheoriesofcities.com/
