CONTEXTUALISM IN ARCHITECTURE:

Contextualism as the resolution of identity-creativity dilemma

Since their original structures have been dramatically changed by the effects of modernization and globalization, cities and their architecture demand challenging approaches to planning, urban design and architecture in order to safeguard livability at every scale and meaning. However due to the impact of the economic forces of the dominating "center" of globalization, the loss of identity, character and integrity is a much graver issue in the less developed "periphery". The Modernization process with its radical interventions has devastating affects on traditional settlements. Recent design actions have contradicted, transformed and de-structured the essential character of traditional settlements on the one hand and according to many critics, have failed to produce livable new environments on the other.

The forthcoming conference is being organized to provide a forum for the presentation and discussion of new ideas and approaches. Thus it is also set to challenge the knowledge based approaches and attitudes to architecture and urban design in favor of the indeterminate and uncertain field of design: imagination and projection.

Congress Themes

1. Theories and Fictions:
   Theoretical foundations, frameworks, and concepts
   Philosophical, ethical & social implications
   
2. Creative design methods and tools:
   Design guidelines, methods, and processes
   narratives, myths and fantasies
   
3. Innovative solutions: cases of socially appropriate solutions, style and appearance:
   Urban transformations Contextual architecture Building elements, furniture and objects

Chair and organisers