The underground’s image is negatively related to darkness and discomfort. It triggers concerns and claustrophobic fears. It has been left over during centuries in favor of the top which was seen as the field for unlimited conquering quests… But all this is coming to an end. A continuously growing population on a limited surface forces […]
Author: Yky
The Japanese paradox
Centuries of earthquakes, typhoons, wars and fires. But a flourishing Tokyo which, undoubtedly, is a success story, at least seen from the economical perspective. Facing a level of natural threats, probably one of the highest in the world, the country has developed a network of infrastructures and communication tools, second to none, backed by a […]
From government to governance: a dilemma for urban resilience
The way a resilient space may reach its state of balance is thoroughly described in the literature. Whether referring to the very first assumptions of Holling in 1973 (1) of“engineering” and “ecological” resilience or to the idea that complex systems are constantly changing, thereby having no requirement for a stable equilibrium, the key words are […]
About urban farming, resilience and urbanism.
The past decades gave birth to an urban way of life which is very demanding. Those who do not have the means to adapt to an ever evolving socio-economic environment are more vulnerable. And it can be fairly assumed that the number of people who will face difficulties will grow: according to the United Nations […]
The ephemerality of urban resilience
By nature, urban resilience leads to ephemerality. What has been built should possibly be undone as no one can predict what our future will be. Such principle is intelligently reflected in the guidelines of the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England, in charge of the sustainable management of historic environment, page 46, “In reality, […]
When Urban Resilience deals with our cultural heritage
The need to protect the so-called “tangible form” of our cultural heritage, such as historical monuments, has been recalled by notorious institutions (UNESCO 1972 General Conference, UN 2015 World Conference). Acknowledging the key role played by its conservation in preserving our identity, in strengthening the community cohesion and in developing sustainability has achieved a broad […]
Are cities fragile or vulnerable?
The question can surprise but it is not just semantics. The difference between fragility and vulnerability has been thoroughly discussed and it goes without saying that this post doesn’t aim to cover the diversity of fields where both concepts apply. But seen from the point of view of the urban citizen, it is worth to […]
Can urban resilience cope with earthquakes?
Earthquakes are devastating at different levels. They impact the cities, the organizations and the persons. Though short in duration, they may destroy not only infrastructures but our historical heritage too. They talk about an irrational fear: the destruction of our matrix. According to C. Strupp (1), it is estimated that earthquakes caused 2 million deaths […]
Should Urban Resilience reject Finance?
In a sense, the ever growing number of urban resilience definitions is symptomatic of a conceptual drift that goes beyond expert sensitivities. Established centralized institutions are (too) often opposed to local initiatives on the ground of their supposed incompetence in appraising the human dimension of urban resilience. The historical background can be understood. The western […]
Was Baron Georges Eugène Haussmann (1809-1891) the founding father of engineering resilience?
Architecture is facing a dilemma: urban buildings are aimed to last. Our society celebrates “architects-stars” who leave their marks in the urban grid. The cultural legacy of “historical” cities strengthens the sociological link between buildings, duration and property. In such a context, M. Laboy and D. Fannon expressed a critical view on the way architectural […]
