Pre-Reading/Thinking for Class 1 August

While we will not start until September 1, I want to get you thinking about the core issues of the course already: how we imagine ideal cities, where we build them in "reality" outside of but near cities and where these processes go wrong --that is, utopia, suburbia and dystopia. Through the term we will discuss these ideas in dialogue with global thinkers and builders and with each other as builders of better cities.  To start, one task and three short readings that may orient you.

The Task: Come up with FIVE principles you think are intrinsic to the "good community."  These may refer to design, function, citizenship or change. We will of course go beyond five but with five from everyone we can construct a first list to work with and against through the term.

Second, readings, if you can:

First, an article by the distinguished urbanist John Friedmann that argued for the value of Utopian thinking in a world that seemed difficult (and that was 2000!) that should underscore our quest during the term.

Second, the intro for a book we. will use during the term (there are even copies in the bookstore) that is also available on line through Tripod, Amanda Hurley's (2019) Radical Suburbs.  You can find the intro (and entire book) at https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2021&version=NIV or go in through Tripod.

Finally, a shor image of the New Jerusalem from the Christian New Testament. While we will examine many cultures and urban ideals, use these passeaget to think about the images of faith and salvation that also underpin the human quest for the good city -- how is some form of belief part of vision and citizenship

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2021&version=NIV

Looking forward to lively discussion, interesting debates, and even some drawings.....Best, G