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Projet d'architecture 3.11 : UN - Urban Nature
Course teacher(s)
Mar Nadia CASABELLA ALVAREZ (Coordinator) and Axel FISHERECTS credits
20
Language(s) of instruction
english, french
Course content
The UN – Urban Nature teaching unit is a "vertical" architectural design studio open to Bachelor "continuation" students (see dedicated syllabus: 3.11), Master 1 (see dedicated syllabus: 4.11) and Master 2 (see dedicated syllabus: 5.11).
UN – Urban Nature is based on a reconfiguration between urbanization and nature, between humans and non-humans in the way we inhabit the Earth.
Modernity, founded on a "great divide" between humans and the animated earth, has established a distance between human habitat and nature, evident in the organization of cities as much as the countryside, and which may today have lost its raison d'être.
More than the application of familiar tools and solutions, UN – Urban Nature is intended as a space for an "imperfect, holistic exploration of a holistic problem that is beyond us", in order to learn how to imagine an approach to architecture and urban planning that might incorporate a paradigm shift.
So, the "city" is not so much opposed to nature as interwoven with it.
What then of the age-old opposition that defined cities as the artificial environment par excellence, from which nature (its hazards, its dangers, etc.) is excluded?
What is to be made of the city/countryside dichotomy now that the survival of cities depends on territories that are increasingly vast and remote, linked by complex supply chains and proliferating ad infinitum: can these territories still be described as "rural", in the traditional sense of a subordinate territory, lagging behind in terms of progress and fundamentally under-valued by architects?
Does the notion of "rural" still have any validity when it comes to apprehending the reality of these outlying territories, haunted by their past and shaken by the contemporary dynamics of global interconnection?
UN – Urban Nature takes part in the NeRu project (newruralities.eu), an Erasmus+ cooperative partnership (2022-25) between 6 teams of teachers and their students from as many European universities: ULB, Politecnico di Torino (Italy), Universidade da Coruña (Spain), Universidade do Minho (Portugal), Universitet Po Architektura Stroitelstvo I Geodezija of Sofia (Bulgaria), and ETH Zürich (Switzerland).
NeRu aims to reconceptualize rural territories beyond the city-country opposition, identified as one of the causes of the current climate crisis, in order to enrich training programs for architects and urban planners.
This 2023–24 academic year, the UN – Urban Nature studio's work starts from the hypothesis that these territories are traversed by a pre-modern, pre-industrial layer that persists in the form of GHOSTS: the vestiges and signs of past ways of life still charged in the present. As humans reshape the landscape, we forget what was there before: our newly shaped and ruined landscapes becoming the new reality. If we want to see more clearly, we need to learn to identify and locate those GHOSTS pointing to the past, signaling our forgetting, and providing a substrate from where to actualize our present.
Our place of exploration is the coastal plain between Zeebrugge (B) and Breskens (NL), reaching inland to Bruges (B), Damme (B), Oostburg (NL), and Schoondijke (NL). About three thousand years ago, this area was governed by natural, geological processes, like storm surges and the ebb and flow of a turbulent sea. The present-day coastal plain is the result of a combination of anthropic interventions starting over 1,000 years ago, and long-term sea tidal movements carrying sediments, eroding, and altering the sea level. Hence a landscape of forever negotiation that, as late as the sixteenth century, still saw parts of it disappeared under the sea. And today a place traversed by a dense network of infrastructures aimed at controlling all possible hazards, which will be compared to other coastal locations in the context of the NeRu project (newruralities.eu).
Dedicated page on the website of the Faculty of architecture La Cambre Horta: https://archi.ulb.be/un-urban-nature
Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)
- Spatial dimensioning
- Architectural composition
- Uses
- Scales
- Subject
- Oral
- Representation
Prerequisites and Corequisites
Required and Corequired knowledge and skills
Required courses
- Architectural design studio
-
Projet d'architecture 1 – PROJ-P1300
Projet d'architecture 2 – PROJ-P2300
- Composition and representation
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Composition et représentation 1 : Théorie et critique d'architecture – COMM-P1303
- Architectural drawing, sketching and descriptive geometry
-
Moyens d'expression 1 : Représentations d'architecture — COMM-P1103
Moyens d'expression 2 : Représentations d'architecture — COMM-P1203
- Other
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Interactions avec le milieu – ENVI-P1204
- Co-required courses
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Histoire de l'architecture 2 : Architecture - modernités – HIST-P2306
Paysage et Patrimoine – ARPA-P3101
Urbanisme et géographie urbaine — URBA-P3111
Composition et Représentation 2 – COMM-P2103
Composition et Représentation 3 – COMM-P2203
Composition et représentation 4 — COMM-P3303
Moyens d'expression 3 : Représentations d'architecture – COMM-P2303
Moyens d'expression 4 – COMM-P3103
Courses requiring this course
Teaching methods and learning activities
The UN – Urban Nature unit adopts the "design studio" pedagogical device, made of bi-weekly classes alternately devoted to structured presentations by teachers, contributions by external guests, site or exhibition visits, short, well-defined exercises (reading seminar, "lodge" for production of a well-defined product, . ...), group discussions, individual and/or group work sessions, "correction" sessions for students' work, and participation in cultural events outside the class timetable (conferences, etc.).
More specific "formative" assessment assignments are also proposed; their purpose, modalities and deadlines are communicated by the teachers in class.
The presentation of these works to teachers and other students is subject to constructive assessments.
Ultimately, all these activities contribute to the production of a spatial transformation proposal.
Contribution to the teaching profile
The UN – Urban Nature unit contributes to the "Bachelor of Architecture" teaching profile (in French) insofar as it focuses on the production of one or more concrete architectural projects.
The projects produced as part of the UN – Urban Nature unit will provide an opportunity to test the ability of Bachelors of Architecture to synthesize the following skills:
- A. Investigating an architectural question
-
- Drawing on theoretical knowledge and personal, sensitive and critical exploratory reading.
- Analyzing, documenting, understanding and prioritizing the issues involved in an architectural, urban, landscape and/or territorial question;
- Reading and describing architecture, urbanization, landscape and territory, using appropriate vocabulary;
- Developping a capacity to read and see, to understand and to make the best out of a physical and human context;
- Building up an architectural, urban and landscape culture;
- Illustrating and questioning a project with relevant examples drawn from the history of architecture, art and/or other disciplines.
- B. Developing a situated spatial response
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- Appropriately use the verbal, written and graphic languages of architectural, urban, territorial and landscape composition;
- Understanding and problematizing elements of context;
- Integrating fields of different natures (history, society, culture, etc.).
- Demonstrating a complementarity of ATTITUDES (making sense: "the Why?") and APTITUDES (know-how: "the How?") in the practice of architectural design;
- Moving from ideas to objects;
- Learning to critically appraise designed objects;
- Mastering the issues of sizing and uses;
- Demonstrating knowledge and capacity to manipulate the elements of architectural, urban, territorial and landscape composition;
- Developing a consistent approach to the technical and structural logic of the project;
- Taking into account constraints and values (heritage, cultural, socio-economic, artistic, historical, environmental, landscape, etc.).
- C. Interacting with all concerned stakeholders
-
- Communicating information, thoughts and ideas about heritage and landscape issues and their spatial resolution in a clear, structured way to both informed and uninformed audiences;
- Mastering all the conventional codes and means of graphic representation of architectural, urban, landscape and/or territorial space at different scales;
- Using representation tools (in 2D and 3D) as a means of exploring, elaborating and communicating the project;
- Developing a visual identity to compose coherent, explicit graphic presentations adapted to the circumstances;
- Mastering verbal communication to convey and engage in dialogue within the context of architectural, heritage and landscape production.
- demonstrating a reflective, open-minded attitude and initiative,
- assuming civic responsibility,
- developing the autonomy of thought and action essential to confrontation and collaboration,
- integrating ethical responsibility.
References, bibliography, and recommended reading
- Recommanded readings
-
- Allaert, G. Leinfelder, H., Vanden Abeele, P., Verhoestraete, D. (2005). Water (management) as a decisive factor in the land use planning of agriculture in an urbanising context. European Regional Science Association, ERSA conference papers. LINK
- Allaert, G., Leinfelder, H., Vanden Abeele, P., & Verhoestraete, D. (2006). Hoe boeren agrarische ondernemers werden: naar een ruimtelijke planning van agro-industriële landschappen op maat van aanwezige dynamieken. RUIMTE EN PLANNING, 26(4), 10–23. LINK
- Ashworth, G.J. (1992). Planning the Coastal Zone in Belgium. In: Dutt, A.K., Costa, F.J. (eds) Perspectives on Planning and Urban Development in Belgium. The GeoJournal Library, vol 22. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-2577-4_6
- Berger, J. (1979). Pig earth, New York – London, Pantheon Books – Writers and Readers Publishing Cooperative
- Bert Pijnenburg & Menno J. Van Duin (1990) The Zeebrugge ferry disaster. Elements of a communication and information processes scenario, CONTEMPORARY CRISES 14, 321–349. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00728504
- Charlier, R.H., Charlier, C.C. (2018). Venice-of-the-North’s Ups and Downs: A Brief History of the Port City of Bruges, Belgium. In: Finkl, C., Makowski, C. (eds) Diversity in Coastal Marine Sciences. Coastal Research Library, vol 23. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57577-3_36
- Cividino, H. (2012) Architectures agricoles : la modernisation des fermes, 1945-1999. Rennes: Presses universitaires de Rennes. [en bibliothèque]
- Cividino, H. (2018). Nouvelles architectures agricoles : nouvelles agricultures. Antony : Editions Le Moniteur. [en bibliothèque]
- Clément, G. (c2004, 2022). Manifesto of the Third Landscape, TEH Series on new imaginaries #3, Trans Europe Halles. LINK
- ing, N., Hein, C. (eds.) (2020) The Urbanisation of the Sea; nai010 publishers, Rotterdam.
- Debaise, D. & Stengers, I. (2016). L’insistance des possibles: Pour un pragmatisme spéculatif. Multitudes, 65, 82-89. https://doi.org/10.3917/mult.065.0082
- Douvere, F. (2005). Socio-Economic Value of the Human Activities in the Marine Environment: The Belgian Case. In: Maes, F. (eds) Marine Resource Damage Assessment. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-3368-0_10
- Everaert, J., Stienen, E.W.M. Impact of wind turbines on birds in Zeebrugge (Belgium). Biodivers Conserv 16, 3345–3359 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-006-9082-1
- Koolhaas, R.; Bantal, S. 2020. Countryside: A Report (exhibition catalogue: Guggenheim Museum). Taschen. [en bibliothèque]
- Krzysztofowicz, M., Rudkin, J., Winthagen, V. and Bock, A., (2020) Farmers of the future, Luxembourg, Publications Office of the European Union, https://doi.org/10.2760/680650
- Gan, E. Tsing, A., Swanson, H., Bubandt, N. (2017) “Introduction: Haunted Landscapes of the Anthropocene”, in ID. (eds.) Arts of Living on a Damaged Planet: Ghosts and Monsters of the Anthropocene, University of Minnesota Press
- Lannoy, D. (1974) . Het landschapsvormende proces van onze kustvlakte, CNOCKE IS HIER, 03, 19-23. LINK
- Lescrauwaet, AK., Fockedey, N., Debergh, H. et al. Hundred and eighty years of fleet dynamics in the Belgian sea fisheries. Rev Fish Biol Fisheries 23, 229–243 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11160-012-9287-1
- Library University, Uyttenhoven, P. (2015). Recollecting Landscapes [website]. http://www.recollectinglandscapes.be/en-general
- Lovelock, J., Margulis, L. (1972) Atmospheric homeostasis by and for the biosphere: the gaia hypothesis. TELLUS, 26: 2-10. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2153-3490.1974.tb01946.x
- Marot, S. 2019. Taking the country's side : agriculture and architecture (exhibition catalogue), Lisbon Architecture Triennale. [en bibliothèque]
- Stouthamer, E., Cohen, K. (2020). Berendsen - Fysische geografie van Nederland - De vorming van het land. Perspectief Uitgevers.
- Uyttenhoven, P., Vanbelleghem, D., Van Bouwel, I., Nottenboom, B., Debergh, R., Willequet, B. (2018). Recollecting Landscapes - Rephotography, Memory and Transformation 1904–1980-2004-2014. Roma Publications.
- Vanneste, P.; Hooft, E.; Callaert, G. (2005) Heist geschiedenis, [online], Inventaris Onroerend Erfgoed. https://id.erfgoed.net/themas/14394
- Verdier, M. 2012. "Architectes et urbanistes en campagne... Réinventer un urbanisme rural?", Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine, vidéo en ligne, https://dai.ly/x11sd0w
- Verhulst, A. (2000) Historische ontwikkeling van het kustlandschap, VLAANDEREN. KUNSTTIJDSCHRIFT 49, 135. LINK
- Wintein, W. (2003a). Ontstaan en evolutie van het landschap in de Zwinstreek (DEEL 1), ROND DE POLDERTORENS 1, 3-36, LINK
- Wintein, W. (2003b). Ontstaan en evolutie van het landschap in de Zwinstreek (DEEL 1), ROND DE POLDERTORENS 1, 18-36. LINK
- Woods, M. (2010) Rural. New York: Routledge. [en bibliothèque]
Other information
Additional information
- Mandatory activity:
-
On-site stay from Friday September 22 to Sunday September 24, 2023 inclusive (Duzele youth hostel, between Bruges and Zeebrugge). Accommodation and meals provided by the NeRu-New Ruralities project, travel expenses paid by students.
- Teaching language:
-
To enable those students who do not have the opportunity to participate in an international mobility program, those who wish to do so in future, or those who wish to improve their language skills, activities in the UN - Urban Nature unit are taught mainly in English. However, French may be used as a second language, wherever appropriate.
No level of English is required for participation in the UN - Urban Nature unit, but a level of C1 on the European Language Passport self-assessment grid is recommended (see grid).
Spanish (Nadia Casabella) and Italian (Axel Fisher) can also be used to facilitate exchanges with and integration of students from abroad. - Teaching team:
-
- Term 1 (September-December 2023): Nadia Casabella & François Vliebergh
- Term 2 (February-May 2024): Nadia Casabella & Axel Fisher
Contacts
- Term 1 (September-December 2023): Write an email to Nadia Casabella AND François Vliebergh
- Term 2 (February-May 2024): Write an email to Nadia Casabella AND Axel Fisher
Campus
Flagey, Solbosch
Evaluation
Method(s) of evaluation
- Project
Project
Two types of assessment are used:
- A continuous "formative" assessment of the work carried out by the student (with intermediate submissions, on agreed dates, of the progress of work, and group and individual projects) and his/her active and committed participation during workshop sessions. These formative assessments will be communicated to students throughout the year, at key moments, with a summary at the end of the first term. These notes will enable students to "situate" themselves over the course of each term and the year. Teachers reserve the right to over- or under-rate formative grades for pedagogical reasons, mainly to motivate students.
- Certifying" assessments at the end of each term.
The work of B.Arch-3 and M.Arch-2 students (diploma years) must also meet the evaluation criteria common to the Faculty's architectural design studios.
Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)
"Formative" assessments do not contribute to the construction of the final grade. Under no circumstances can they be considered an indisputable indicator of the foreseen final grade.
The course's final grade is based exclusively on the "certificative" assessments, which will take into account students' progress and ability to synthesize their learning achievements.
Certificative assessments are weighted as follows:
- Certificate evaluation of term 1: 40% of the yearly grade
-
- Considers work during Term 1 in the studio: 40% (grade awarded by teachers in consideration of the cognitive AND behavioural skills demonstrated by the student).
A "design studio jury" may be organized at the end of term 1, and will be considered a "formative" evaluation that will be considered by the teachers in establishing the "certificative" evaluation of the term.
- Considers work during Term 1 in the studio: 40% (grade awarded by teachers in consideration of the cognitive AND behavioural skills demonstrated by the student).
- Certificate evaluation of term 1: 60% of the yearly grade:
-
- work during Term 2 in the studio: 30% (grade awarded by teachers in consideration of the cognitive AND behavioural skills demonstrated by the student)
- SIP workshop: 5%
- Final jury: 25% (grade awarded by teachers and members of the "(design studio) jury" on the basis of the BA3 jury evaluation grid)
- work during Term 2 in the studio: 30% (grade awarded by teachers in consideration of the cognitive AND behavioural skills demonstrated by the student)
- SIP workshop: 5%
- Final jury: 25% (grade awarded by teachers and members of the "(design studio) jury" on the basis of the BA3 jury evaluation grid)
The cognitive skills assessed are those listed in the "Bachelor of Architecture" Teaching Profile (In French) under the headings:
- A. Investigating an architectural question;
- B. Developing a situated spatial response;
- C. Interacting with all concerned stakeholders.
Language(s) of evaluation
- english
- partially in english
- (if applicable french, Spanish, Italian, Galician )