Living Politics in the City: Architecture as Catalyst for Public Space

Architecture plays a vital role in shaping public spaces, and this collection of essays explores how it can be used as a catalyst for embodying politics. The essays cover a range of topics, from Palestinian refugee camps to vibrant urban axes, city squares, and housing politics in Australia, highlighting the diverse perspectives and disciplinary approaches to architecture.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 10 March 2023
Publisher: Leuven University Press

In recent decades, architecture has emerged as a field of practice that plays a pivotal role in enhancing the performance of public spaces. Despite the proliferation of virtual communities facilitated by social media and the challenges posed by pandemics, architecture remains an active force in (literally) shaping our societies. Given its heightened politicization in recent years, Living Politics in the City takes a fresh perspective on public space by examining it through the lens of architecture and its tangible impact, rather than merely serving as a prop. The essays compiled in this volume span across five continents, engaging diverse disciplinary approaches to architecture and exploring its manifestations in various contexts: from a Palestinian refugee camp to the bustling urban axis in Sao Paolo, from the numerous city squares worldwide that witness the gathering of rebellious populations, to the intimate politics of housing in Australia.

Contributors to this collection include Endriana Audisho (University of Technology Sydney), Maja Babic (Charles University), Alexandra Biehler (Ecole Nationale Superieure d'Architecture de Marseille), Tracey Bowen (University of Toronto Mississauga), Etienne Delprat (Rennes 2 University), Claudia Faraone (IUAV Venice School of Architecture, ETICity), Caterina Frisone (Oxford Brookes University), Catherine Grout (ENSAPL Lille), Pavel Kunysz (University of Liege), Flavia Marcello (Swinburne University of Technology), Eric Le Coguiec (University of Liege), Tova Lubinsky (University of Technology Sydney), Giovanna Muzzi (IUAV Venice School of Architecture, ETICity), Can Onaner (Ecole Nationale Superieure d'Architecture de Bretagne), Shadi Saleh (KU Leuven), Frederic Sotinel (Ecole Nationale Superieure d'Architecture de Bretagne), Karolina Wilczynska (Adam Mickiewicz University), and Ian Woodcock (Swinburne).

Through their insightful contributions, these authors shed light on the multifaceted ways in which architecture contributes to the embodiment of politics in public spaces. They highlight the transformative power of architectural design in shaping the experiences, interactions, and narratives of individuals and communities. By examining public spaces through the lens of architecture, Living Politics in the City offers a valuable exploration of the ways in which architecture can serve as a catalyst for social change, cultural expression, and political engagement.

In conclusion, architecture has the potential to shape the very fabric of our societies, and Living Politics in the City provides a compelling testament to the profound impact that architecture can have on public space. By engaging with diverse disciplinary perspectives and exploring the diverse contexts in which architecture operates, this collection offers valuable insights into the ways in which architecture can contribute to the betterment of our world.

Weight: 692g
Dimension: 156 x 233 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789462703599