Urban Asymmetries

Abstract

Understanding the societal construction and utilisation of space is paramount today, especially as urban centres face escalating space scarcity, intensifying societal disparities. The intertwining of architecture and politics is undeniable, given architecture’s power to shape spaces and influence social dynamics, necessitating architects’ acknowledgement of political implications.

This research delves into how sociopolitical factors impact urban spaces and in what ways architects could critically counteract them, using neoliberalism as a case study. Neoliberal policies in London, particularly under Thatcher’s leadership, significantly affected social strata and urban landscapes.

Neoliberal ideologies created disparities, unfettered markets, commodified public spaces, and exacerbated social divides, leading to spatial segregation and gentrification waves. They emphasised on the need for alternative approaches focusing on fairness, sustainability, and community welfare. Examining evolving neighbourhoods highlighted spatial segregation patterns due to neoliberalism’s aftereffects, manifesting as urban loopholes and boundaries.

This study recognises cities as arenas reflecting and challenging neoliberal ideologies. It identifies the root causes of urban disparities in social stratification, globalisation, and gentrification and calls for a shift towards long-term social sustainability in urban planning.

This research takes an approach by integrating social engagement into urban planning, acknowledging that city development is influenced by multifaceted factors beyond architectural planning. Drawing from diverse fields, it proposes strategies embedding social engagement within spatial contexts. These strategies aim to combat societal disconnection by promoting meaningful social interaction through spatial design.

At the heart of this exploration are eight spatial agencies or design principles aiming to revitalise social engagement within urban spaces. These principles advocate constructing situations over objects, fostering diverse social interactions, bridging social stratification, and restoring the existing character. The research strongly urges architects to adopt socially conscious approaches and open their spectrum to cross-disciplinarity. The main goal is to underline architecture’s integral role in societal wellbeing and emphasise its potential to create inclusive and equitable spaces.