Topic outline

  • About Urban Challenge Studio 2






    In the recent years cities globally have witnessed more frequent and intense ‘records’ of weather events that have impacted life on earth and under water. Diverse urban settlements were affected along with complex environmental, economic, social and political challenges. Coastal or waterfront cities particularly require alternative thinking to influence current daily habits and plan for future activities.

    In this studio, we will explore Nordhavn district in Copenhagen, a northern coastal city, which has addressed sustainability issues in its planning. Focusing on future complexities, we will investigate innovative biocentric urban strategies through which Nordhavn would become a paradigm for reshaping global urban futures amidst dynamic challenges.

    Responses to Multidimensional Challenges

    Copenhagen has proactively addressed sustainability within its planning framework. Nordhavn, an old industrial port area, was developed on reclaimed land for urban expansion along the Øresund coast starting in 2011, prompting questions about sustainable development. Emphasizing a resilient, biocentric perspective, we question how urban studies and planning in Nordhavn could utilize complex future challenges as opportunities to rethink common practices, using different lenses related to the disciplines of the course participants.

     Some of the questions that will be discussed in this studio within Nordhavn:

    • Biocentric Strategies: How can urban studies and planningshift towards a biocentric framework, prioritizing the wellbeing of ecosystems alongside human needs, enabling the copresence of nature and infrastructure?
    • Inclusivity in Planning: In what ways can planning strategies be inclusive and address the diverse needs of human and non-human actors?
    • Biodiversity Enhancement: What measures can be taken to contribute to ecological resiliencein the face of climate change?
    • Adaptation and Resilience: How can urban studies and planning adapt to sea-level rise and other climate-related challenges while maintaining a biocentric focus?
    • Community Engagement: How can local communitiesactively engage with the development of resilient, biocentric strategies?

    Throughout the semester, students and teachers will engage in exploratory activities, and challenge conventional urban studies and planning practices, with the purpose of fostering a biocentric ethos for a resilient future in Nordhavn. More information will be available to course participants under Course material. Welcome to a semester of innovative inquiry at the intersection of global urban resilience and biocentric perspectives!

     

    Welcome to USP-E0305 Urban Challenge Studio 2 in 2024!


    Image adapted from the following sources: "Langelinie, Nordhavnen og Trekroner..." by Stig Nygaard is licensed under CC BY 2.0. "Captain Nalle in Nordhavn, Copenhagen" by Attalian Simelokuhle is marked with CC0 1.0. "Nordhavn (Copenhagen)" by Lars K. Jensen is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.



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