BUILDING URBAN
ECO-COMMUNITIES

In the current context of rapid urbanization affordability of housing, not only in money terms, but also in terms of the environmental impact, is a growing concern.

There is a tug of war between the environment and de­velopment, with spatial exclusion and social segrega­tion emerging as universal phenomena, affecting even developed countries. Design helps to achieve more with significantly less: better use of ‘human’ resources (intelligence, knowledge, time) can prevent depletion and deterioration of other natural resources. The key to building an affordable future is surely education; and not only increasing access to formal education, but prioritizing lifestyle issues and consumption pat­terns. We have to learn to discriminate between the necessary and the superfluous, so that cities not only survive, but thrive.

This course was an opportunity to envision ‘Urban Eco-Communities’ trough integral rethinking of Architecture and Urban Design in the context of Auroville (India), both from a theoretical and practical approach, addres­sing environmental, social and economic sustainability holistically.

The course was organized around a series of lectures by visiting experts on new urban visions for diverse related topics and a visit to the site.

 Guest Professor