Urban dialysis : [re]invigorating urban vitality using adhocism

The changes in the ecology of the urban fabric within cities - without careful application in maintaining or promoting vibrant and livable neighbourhoods - can lead to a notable decrease o f the quality of life in communities. Two of the primary problems of providing publicly available active areas within cities are the issues of finance and time constraints. Under these conditions how can architecture, normally an expensive and long process, help when the problems are cost and time? Could an ad hoc architecture approach turn the problems to opportunities and allow spaces and structures that can be built quickly and inexpensively? Would ad hoc architecture, as we see it, continuously evoke user curiosity, imagination and interest, or would it be a mere distraction as city goers and users pass by? How can adhocism improve the vitality of a community that needs [re]invigoration? We will call this process 'urban dialysis' and for this inquiry we will investigate an ad hoc application - as an architectural condition and as a tool - to reinvigorate community vitality by adding spaces and structures for socially relevant, imaginative activities. We shall explore the notion of a solution that adheres to affordability, urgency, nongeneralization and improvisation. Eventually the question posed is: Can adhocism be a useful lasting operation within architecture, and of lasting value to the community?

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Architecture (M.Arch.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Architecture

Grantor dc:publisher

Carleton University

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Chow, Mei Ling

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © 2012 the author(s). Theses may be used for non-commercial research, educational, or related academic purposes only. Such uses include personal study, research, scholarship, and teaching. Theses may only be shared by linking to Carleton University Institutional Repository and no part may be used without proper attribution to the author. No part may be used for commercial purposes directly or indirectly via a for-profit platform; no adaptation or derivative works are permitted without consent from the copyright owner.

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

10.22215/etd/2012-06923

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:carleton.scholaris.ca:20.500.14718/36871