Rebuilding the European City

After the Second World War, many cities, roads, and bridges were left destroyed in Europe and needed to be rebuilt. Some countries, like Poland, chose to rebuild as close as possible to the original city, whereas others, like England, decided to promote a new type of city, with the so-called \”new towns\” around London. In the 1960s, the French government decided to follow the English example. The French administration tried to realize \”the metropolis of the future\” according to the principles formulated by modern architects that were described in the Chart of Athens.Today, it is no longer war that is destroying cities in the European Economic Community, but economic crisis. In France, Germany, or England, cities are confronted with problems of adaptation to a changing context. Urban renewal of impoverished districts often expresses itself through new projects on a large scale.The need for renewal is crucial in port cities. Port infrastructures have evolved drastically and large portions of land, often nearing the center, are abandoned. From Bilbao to Marseilles and Rotterdam, ports have become places of fascinating architectural experimentation.The seminar will study these two moments of urban regeneration in Europe that provide keys for contemporary urban design. Each student will be required to focus on a specific case in order to make a presentation. In a comparative perspective, non-European situations will be allowed, especially dealing with port and waterfront regeneration that appears as a global problem. A final paper based on the presentation will be required at the end of the semester.Maximum number of students: 20.