Historiography of Modernism - Admission/Application Essay Example

[Due Historiography of Modernism The discusses two main movements, which are the Slow City movement and the Transition Towns movement. The two movements perfectly fit in with the story the author is trying to tell because they are related to the title and objective of the paper, which is how to rethink urban design. The author discusses the Slow City movement in terms of its relevance to the need to rethink urban design and improve the architecture of urban areas. In this regard, the author mentions how the origins of the Slow City movement and its characteristics (declining populations and wealthy countries), and then goes on to discuss other importance like its relevance to the enhancement of local characteristics and culture (including regional cuisine and food).

As a result of its emphasis on enhancing local characteristics and culture, the Slow City movement is able to hold back the homogenizing effect of globalization. This is related to the urbanization aspect of the discussion, because the author seems to think that globalization has a major influence on urbanization (Jencks 59). An interesting note made by the author is that due to its ability to stem the homogenizing effect of globalization, it is crucial in making a city/urban area more attractive to investment and skills and investment in the globalised world, where cities as much as countries vie for these economic essentials, and vital assets are the quality of life and individuality of character of a city/urban area.

The second movement is the Transition Towns movement, which the author says is currently spreading rapidly through the cities and towns of much of the world. According to his analysis, this movement’s core emphasis is on harnessing local resilience, and therefore sustainability, through a wide range of environmental and community programs. In this case, the author acknowledges that despite there being a lot to learn from the movement, it is tangential to the gist of the discussion (Jencks 67).

However, the movement is worth discussing because few architects engage in it when it is brought up in architectural schools, even those that are located in very active Transition Towns, neither staff nor students tend to be aware of it. The author states that part of the dilemma seems to be the reluctance of architects to come down from their professional high horse and interact as equals with ordinary people who are more committed and knowledgeable than them. Based on an evaluation of other sources and works related to the discussion, it is clear that the author focuses primarily on theoretical statements and programs.

From the beginning of the discussion to the end, the author makes reference to examples and notions that are largely theoretical, and only a little formal. Metaphor and other figurative language are not used, but the discussion makes good illustrations of assumptions about the future of urban design. Monuments and other illustrations shown include Foster + Partners’ designs for some unique buildings that represent the current and future outlook of urban design, Le Corbusier’s master plan for St Dié (City of Doing) and The Nolli plan of Rome (City of Being) (Jencks 72).

These serve to further enhance the author’s argument concerning the rethinking of urban design.Work CitedJencks, Charles. Modern movements in architecture. [1st ed]. Garden City, N.Y.: Anchor Press,1973. Print.