This was the first of a series of "PROBE"
Symposia documenting the contemporary city.
Globalization was the theme as architects, sociologists and experts in cultural
studies gathered to discuss the state of the city in an era of complexity and
rapid change. Discussions ranged over a broad spectrum of political, economic,
social and cultural issues, providing participating scholars with an opportunity
for cross-fertilisation across disciplinary boundaries.
Discussion focused on how globalization is affecting the contemporary city, a
place where people live crowded together. Among the opinions exchanged were the
proposition that the fundamental nature of human society and the environment in
which humans live is undergoing radical change. Together with debate concerning
the roles of architects and city planners and issues directly confronting contemporary
cities, the idea was also raised that traditional concepts such as "community",
"organisms", and "city" are no longer adequate to describe today's urban conglomerations.
The "PROBE" series is intended to provide an opportunity for comprehensive discussion
and raising vital issues concerning how cities are changing and how they ought
to change.
Dates: February 26 and 27, 1999Three programs in two days.
Organizer: TN Probe
| Planning supervisor: |
Koji Taki (critic) and Ryuzo Uchida(sociologist;
professor, University of Tokyo) |
Moderators: Koji Taki and Ryuzo Uchida
| Speakers: |
Fumihiko Maki (architect, city planner)
Toyo Ito (architect)
Riken Yamamoto (architect)
Munesuke Mita (sociologist, professor emeritus, University of Tokyo)
Kiyokazu Washida (philosopher; professor, Osaka University) |
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