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The architecture of the city from modernity to today
Die Architektur der Stadt von der Moderne bis Heute
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:14:15
Abstract
The lecture covers the time of the 20th century and describes with theories, projects and implemented plannings the history of the modern city. The lectures emphasizes on the historical plannings and methods and presents each specific urban development within a broader context.
Objective
This course analyzes the history of urban architecture primarily in its existing three dimensional form as a complex human artefact. It also explores the inspirations that prompted the creation of this artefact: philosophical and religious concepts, social conditions, property relationships and the mechanisms that exploit the economics of real estate and the influence of building technology. Intellectual, literary or artistic modes of thought will also be assessed with regard to their impact on urban development. Urbanism has its own distinctive approach as a discipline, but it is also clearly responsive to the influence of related disciplines. Study is made of actual cities and urban expansion plans which are in the process of implementation, as well as unrealized projects and visions of the future. These projects sometimes illustrate ways of thinking that are equal to, or clearer than, actual urban situations.
Content
The lecture which will be hold only in one semester includes the developments of the 20th century 1. Le Corbusier: Visions and clear-cuttings in the name of the „autorité” 2. Antagonism in the US of the Jazz Age: Setback Skyscraper City and Broadacres of Frank Lloyd Wright Broadacres 3. Italy in the time of Fascism: ”sventramenti” and city foundations between zeal of tradition, assiduousness of modernization and obsession of representation 4. The ”engineers of luck” are building up the Soviet Union, or: The socialist realism and the city 5. Coming to terms with the past and the Cold War: Reconstruction in the two German states 6. The myth of the truth: Urban design of the Neoempirism in Scandinavia and of the Neorealism in Italy 7. Myths of the Postwar era: Rationalistic classicism in France 8. Three postcolonial city foundations in the 20th century: Chandigarh, Dhaka and Brasilia 9. The international utopia of the city: Team X, Metabolism, Archigram 10. Learning from Las Vegas, Architettura Radicale and Generic City: The city of the Postmodernism and the Postavantgarde movement 11. Analyse, Analogy and Renewal: The adventure of the typological city from Aldo Rossi until today
Resources
Lecture Notes
To each lecture an overview is listet within a script, that can be purchased at the chair for the history of urban design (HIL D 75.2) at the price of CHF 20,-. The script serves as an auxiliary means to the attended lecture compiling the most important illustrations showed and the names and dates of the buildings and its builders along with a short introductory note.Aside this script the chair offers the ‚Quellentextbände' (sourcetexts) which help to extend the knowledge of theoretical discourses in the field of urban design. For the master program the institute offers one volume of texts at the price of CHF 15,-. The script is in German, the ‚Quellentextbände’ are reprinted in their original languages.
Literature
Further recommended literature to consult is listet within the script.
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- DS , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Die Architektur der Stadt von der Moderne bis Heute |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Humanities, Social and Political Sciences (In order to be awarded credits, please register under "Pflichtwahlfach GESS"!. The language courses are offered by the ETH and University of Zurich Language Center.)
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