Lukas Fink: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2023

NameMr Lukas Fink
Address
Architektur u. Urbane Transformat.
ETH Zürich, ONA J 25
Neunbrunnenstr. 50
8093 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
E-mailfink@arch.ethz.ch
DepartmentArchitecture
RelationshipLecturer

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
052-0709-00LPerspectives on Landscape and Urban Transformation I Information
This learning unit replaces the old learning unit 052-0701-00L Urban Design I
2 credits2VL. Fink, F. Persyn, C. Schaeben
AbstractIn this course we will collectively explore the different actions and actors, as well as the roles and professional practices that represent and collectively shape our environment. This is the first course which is collectively organized by the Institute of Landscape and Urban Studies (LUS), with the NEWROPE chair taking up the coordination. It will span two semesters.
Learning objectiveThrough the different Perspectives on Landscape and Urban Transformation, students will learn to understand the complexity of the (urban) landscape. The various perspectives, readings and key terms will enrich and expand the vocabulary and theoretical knowledge of students. Tools for observation and activation will give students agency to observe and intervene in processes of urban transformation.

At the end of the course students will be able to perceive and identify a multitude of actors and professional roles and recognize how they are overlapping, entangled and ever-shifting. Students will practice to textually and visually illustrate complex processes, including the many different stakeholders involved and the notion of time. Students will learn to reflect about and formulate their possible personal positions in relation to others. The formulated learning goals are aligned with the teaching activities, the exercises, and the final evaluation.
ContentThe course is titled Perspectives on Landscape and Urban Transformation I+II. By bringing forward the term ‘landscape’ the course stresses the need to put the natural environment and the landscape at the core of urban thinking. Accordingly, every architect requires a basic knowledge of the landscape and nature. Also, to focus on ‘urban transformation’, instead of ‘urban design’ is a conscious choice. It comes out of the recognition that materials, energy and space are finite, which forces us to engage first with what is already there, instead of producing even more new things.

This course presents designers as facilitators of complex urban transformation processes. This position requires both an understanding of a great diversity of perspectives and positions constituting a city, and of the different professional roles one can take up to detect and utilize this diversity of – specific and often conflicting – needs, wishes, ambitions and actions. In each lecture one of these perspectives is presented. The list of different perspectives presented in both semesters is deliberately left incomplete, leaving space for students to think of other perspectives, needs and desires that one could take into account when working on a design or (redevelopment) of a space.
Lecture notesStudents will be provided with a reader at the first lecture. The reader for the course Perspectives on Landscape and Urban Transformation I+II is a container which holds together a collection of different hand-outs, brochures, and materials. All in all, it is a ‘bag’ and a personal organizer which invites students to fill over the course of the year. It allows them to individually structure and curate the content of the course. It is deliberately designed to be open-ended and to be individually extended and adapted. Towards the end of the semester, students will get a glossary where all key terms and concepts, presented in the various lectures, are combined. Each week students will receive a small leaflet that gives an overview of the individual lecture, as well as an additional reading.

All documents can be downloaded via moodle.
LiteratureWeekly handout of readings. All documents can be downloaded via moodle.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe course takes place at the Fokushalle, E7, ONA Building from 18:15h-20:15h.

The course will be under the formal responsibility of Prof. Freek Persyn and collectively coordinated by a core team consisting of Freek Persyn , Michiel van Iersel, Lukas Fink and Charlotte Schaeben.

Students can contact:

Charlotte (schaeben@arch.ethz.ch) for organisational, technical and personal questions

Lukas (fink@arch.ethz.ch) for questions regarding the reader, weekly exercises and the final exam

Michiel (mvaniersel@arch.ethz.ch) for questions regarding guests and literature
CompetenciesCompetencies
Subject-specific CompetenciesConcepts and Theoriesassessed
Techniques and Technologiesassessed
Method-specific CompetenciesAnalytical Competenciesassessed
Decision-makingfostered
Media and Digital Technologiesfostered
Problem-solvingassessed
Project Managementfostered
Social CompetenciesCommunicationfostered
Cooperation and Teamworkfostered
Leadership and Responsibilityfostered
Self-presentation and Social Influence fostered
Sensitivity to Diversityassessed
Negotiationfostered
Personal CompetenciesAdaptability and Flexibilityfostered
Creative Thinkingassessed
Critical Thinkingassessed
Integrity and Work Ethicsfostered
Self-awareness and Self-reflection fostered
Self-direction and Self-management fostered