MetroLab: Metropolitan Design as a New Discipline

Cities are growing rapidly, creating heterogeneous urban fabrics that cross administrative and political borders. A new cross-sectoral, multi-level, and people-centered planning approach is needed to meet the challenges of our time. Metropolitan planning is essential to contemporary planning practice and culture and must take into account the potential of both urban and rural spaces. MetroLab provides tools to develop future-proof and highly liveable city regions through collaboration and active participation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 06 March 2023
Publisher: JOVIS Verlag

Cities are expanding rapidly, resulting in diverse urban landscapes that transcend administrative and political boundaries. In order to address the pressing challenges of our era, a novel cross-sectoral, multi-level, and people-centered planning approach is required. Metropolitan planning holds paramount importance in contemporary planning practices and cultures, necessitating the consideration of both urban and rural spaces.

This publication introduces the emerging field of metropolitan design, showcasing innovative and global insights into interconnected mobility, balanced growth, resilient landscapes, and integrated programming of metropolitan regions. By fostering collaboration and active engagement, MetroLab equips stakeholders with the tools necessary to create future-proof and highly livable city regions.

The rapid urbanization of today's world presents both opportunities and challenges. On the one hand, cities offer a wealth of resources, economic opportunities, and cultural experiences. They are centers of innovation, creativity, and social interaction. On the other hand, urbanization also leads to environmental degradation, social inequality, and congestion.

To address these challenges, a new planning approach is needed that takes into account the complex interrelationships between urban and rural areas. Metropolitan planning is a key component of this approach, as it seeks to create sustainable and inclusive cities that meet the needs of their residents and the environment.

Metropolitan planning involves the strategic planning and management of urban areas, including transportation, housing, land use, and economic development. It involves collaboration between various stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector companies, community organizations, and residents. The goal of metropolitan planning is to create a balanced and sustainable development that promotes economic growth, social well-being, and environmental sustainability.

One of the key challenges of metropolitan planning is the need to balance the competing demands of different stakeholders. This requires a collaborative and inclusive approach that involves the participation of residents, businesses, and other stakeholders in the planning process. It also requires the development of policies and regulations that promote sustainable development and protect the environment.

Another challenge of metropolitan planning is the need to address the spatial and economic disparities between different areas within a city. This requires the development of policies and programs that promote equitable access to resources and opportunities, such as affordable housing, transportation, and job training.

In addition to these challenges, metropolitan planning also needs to consider the impact of climate change on cities. Climate change is causing sea levels to rise, temperatures to increase, and extreme weather events to become more frequent. Metropolitan planning needs to incorporate strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change, such as the development of green infrastructure, the promotion of sustainable transportation, and the adaptation of buildings and infrastructure to climate change.

To address these challenges, metropolitan planning requires a multi-level and integrated approach. It involves the collaboration of various stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector companies, community organizations, and residents. It also requires the development of policies and regulations that promote sustainable development, protect the environment, and address the needs of different stakeholders.

One of the key tools used in metropolitan planning is the concept of smart growth. Smart growth is a planning approach that promotes sustainable and equitable development by focusing on the efficient use of land, the promotion of mixed-use development, and the integration of transportation and infrastructure. Smart growth also promotes the development of walkable and bikeable communities, which can reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.

Another tool used in metropolitan planning is the concept of urban resilience. Urban resilience is a planning approach that seeks to prepare cities for the impacts of climate change and other disasters by promoting the development of resilient infrastructure and communities. Urban resilience involves the development of strategies to reduce the vulnerability of cities to natural disasters, such as flood control measures, drought-resistant landscaping, and the development of emergency response plans.

In addition to these tools, metropolitan planning also involves the use of technology and data to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of planning. This includes the use of geographic information systems (GIS) to map and analyze data, as well as the use of data analytics to identify patterns and trends in urban development.

Overall, metropolitan planning is essential to creating sustainable and inclusive cities that meet the needs of their residents and the environment. It requires a collaborative and inclusive approach that involves the participation of various stakeholders and the development of policies and regulations that promote sustainable development, protect the environment, and address the needs of different stakeholders. By using smart growth, urban resilience, and technology and data, metropolitan planning can help cities become more sustainable, resilient, and livable in the face of the challenges of the 21st century.

Weight: 799g
Dimension: 240 x 170 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783986120115