Defining Postmodernism in Town Planning - Essay Example

Defining Postmodernism in Town Planning Introduction The attributes of town planning are deciphered not only by needs with economic exchange and political affiliations. There are also cultural and social aspects that form different towns and cities while creating philosophies behind the planning. The current development in cities is one which carries philosophies related to attributes such as postmodern political philosophies. The agenda is to arrange the space with the various areas is one which applies to postmodernism by the methods used for planning, policy making which surrounds this and the link which is made between culture and society. Examining the philosophies of town planning in regards to postmodernism then provide different insight into the approach which is taken to build and reconstruct a town with ideologies of the modern city. When looking at the concept of postmodernism, it can be seen that the identity of culture and society is the driving force of implementing new developments with cities. The philosophies of postmodernism are then defined by forces in society which are creating the changes and the new systems and pieces of architecture which are being set in urban developments. Defining Postmodernism The concept of the postmodern is one which is identified as the celebration of difference and suspicion of the truth (Allmendinger, 25). Many consider it a paradox, specifically because it identifies art, creativity, culture and other facets of life in multidimensional respects. These dimensions are based on creating a definition of completeness to a given arena. This is combined with the idea of creating completeness from the sense of the modern, which is based on post – industrial methodologies of production as well as information as a driving force in society. The changes which society makes in relation to these dimensions then becomes the celebration of difference and the acceptance of diversity within a given area. These driving forces then create an understanding of the conditions of modern life, which is what becomes attributed to the making of the postmodern city (Allmendinger, 28). The concept of postmodernism and the main philosophies then become directly attributed to the building of a city, art, architecture and other applications within society. The main concept is to promote the same modern principles of what it means to be a contemporary city while creating a collage of social and cultural differences which can be celebrated. These are combined with various types of diversity and practices in the city, all which can be developed and promoted as a main part of the lifestyle in the town. The main association with the postmodern city is to reflect the human experience through the culture, society and reflections in art which are a part of society. “Aesthetic and cultural practices are peculiarly susceptible to the changing experience of space and time precisely because they entail the construction of spatial representations and aretefacts out of the flow of human experience” (Harvey, 327). The construction of postmodernism, specifically in relation to the city, then becomes one which is identified by the promotion of space and the time – space compression which results. The culture, beauty and the look of a city is one which is based specifically on the social and cultural values as well as the reflection that is a part of a given space for groups of people that associate with different philosophies (Harvey 327). Developing the Postmodern City To develop the postmodern city, are politicians and those in society which are beginning to create ideologies of the postmodern within society. The first component which is associated with this is based on defining space by cultural value. Creating diversity and tolerance within given spaces is one of the main reflections which are a part of the postmodern philosophy. Urban interventions are now using cultural strategies to change initiatives and to revitalize given spaces. The urban areas are in need of renovation and make up smaller communities in different facets of cities. Urban planning is using the concept of creating cultural reflections because of the community basis while creating new opportunity for those in a given area. This is being further developed with urban policies, which are based on ways of creating styles of living and trends which are more comfortable to those within a given area. The urban policy for renovation is directly associated with postmodernism, specifically because of the redefining of cultural sectors that can initiate growth in the overall city (Griffiths, 253). The urban planning and shifts which are occurring are not only incorporating philosophies of cultural development, but are also based on constructing a networked city. The emergence of information as a main component of the postmodern area, as well as the fall from the industrial age, is leading to new demands in several segments of life. Those who are living in urban and suburban areas are interested in developing communities that have access to information, technology and faster pieces of equipment which can be used within the area. The modern infrastructure is designed to support the demands that are a part of society as well as the integrated concepts which are provided through businesses. The demand in network technologies is leading to changes in the economy, specifically with allowing more structures to be available for communication, transportation grids and technology infrastructures. The reform in urban areas is leading to infrastructures which are further enhanced by the government, specifically as they are allowing planning, policies, development and management to be closely associated with the building of technology and networks. This is moving out of the urban ideology of the modern city, which was based on industry, machines and materialism. Instead, it is moving into virtual realities, networks, technology and infrastructures that are reflective of the demands of both the economy and society (Graham, Marvin, 44). Creating Identity in the Postmodern City The association with the postmodern city is one which is changing into new planning and implementation, specifically which are based on policies and procedures that reflect the postmodern city. The identity and policies which the government is focused on is based on creating the tolerance of diversity in various urban sectors, combined with information and technology as the driving force within communities. The identity which has been created is one which is changing the town planning according to these two agendas. Many refer to this as a cosmopolis, which defines the world city. The cosmos is a Greek term which meant universe, combined with the opolis, which is based on the city in which one is in. The main attribute of this is to create an identity which is based on globalization in the economy, civilian and feminist equality and a shift into contemporary concepts, such as environmentally friendly behaviors and aesthetically pleasing arenas. The identity of the cosmopolis as the driving force is one which policies in the government are promoting and which those who are interested in town planning are implementing, specifically because it is a demand that is coming from various individuals in given communities and within urban structures (Sandercock, 7). The planning which is occurring with the basis of the cosmopolis is one which is developed because of policies which are a part of the planning. However, this is occurring as a reaction from demands and the desire to reconstruct the city based on new trends and components that are within society. The main approach which is being placed in society is one which is based on the aesthetics and value of a given community, specifically because it is believed that this reflects the identity of those living within a given area. The concept of creating a performance and drama within a specific region is one of the concepts of identity which is being given. This is developed through experienced economies, which have developed communities from the different identities within the region. These communities then are able to unfold a scene or drama which individuals can approach and enjoy, all which are able to create a sense of performance within a given area (Makeham, 150). The postmodern ideal is one which is based on combining different aesthetics and architectural techniques to create a new and innovative place that leads to a scene within society. The scene is based on cultural identity, aesthetics and the ability to create a specific atmosphere that is directly linked to the identity of the community and which shows a sense of development that is postmodern in nature (Makeham, 152). The identity which is created is not only based on the aesthetics and cultural value that mixes within a given urban area. The identity of feminism and the sense of equality within given communities are also essential. The reflection of culture is one which is followed by the balance of men and women within a given society. The feminist movement is one which has led to the postmodern ideologies of creating tolerance for different types of individuals within a given society. The equality which is expected for feminism is one which has developed tools, areas and a reflection of the equality with businesses, lifestyle, leisure activities and the artistic and aesthetic components within a given town. The planning which is developed is based on the ability to create inclusive neighborhoods which are able to respond to not only the basis of the community, but also specific needs for both men and women that are associated with creating a sustainable environment. The identity is one that is able to incorporate not only culture, but also values the gender differences and identity within the community through the resources, networks and reflections of a given area (Wheeler, 1). The components of identity which are associated with the value of culture and feminism then lead to the town planning and development based on these postmodern concepts. The spaces and territories that are designated in a given area are required to have specific systems and to implement policies for the given community for sustainable living. The planning is developed according to the social and economic relations that are created as well as the influences from the environment. The town planning that is now being used is based first on culturally friendly and diverse areas, as well as a variety of activities available to focus on the identity. This is postmodernist in nature and is inclusive of tolerance in the community. The environment furthers this with the sense of creating a place which is environmentally friendly, specifically as this reflects the community. The systems which are being developed and the response from policies and planning are based on two parts to the environment. The first is creating aesthetically pleasing and different characteristics within the society. The second is from trends in environmentalism which create various systems and promotions of green and friendly substances within the environment. The subjects and spaces then become a reflection of the urban performance that creates identity from a postmodernist viewpoint (Cox, Low, Robinson, 123). Conclusion The concept of urban development is one which has changed with societal demands, cultural influences and changes in the environment and economy. These have created public policies, demands and responses from the government and with the town planning which occurs. The current trends that are based on town planning are to reconstruct the urban territories in a postmodernist philosophy. This combines elements of identity that are reflected in the community to develop these specific components. The different parts of the environment which are being changed are based on the postmodern concepts of aesthetics and performance, cultural diversity and tolerance and the technological and modernist aspects which compliment this. Each of the urban areas are then able to create a different sense of identity with systems that incorporate the latest trends and needs with the economy and with environmental development. The postmodern town planning which is occurring is one which is then based on the identities which are associated with the social and cultural demands of the time. References Allmendinger, P. Planning in Postmodern Times, Routledge: London, 2001. Cox, Kevin, Murray Low, Jennifer Robinson. The SAGE Handbook of Political Geography. Sage Publications: London, 2008. Graham, S. and Marvin, S. Splintering urbanism: networked infrastructures, technological mobilities and the urban condition, Routledge: London, 2001. Griffiths, R. ‘Cultural strategies and new modes of urban intervention’, Cities, 12: 4, pp. 253-65, 1995. Harvey, D. The Condition of Postmodernity, Oxford, Basil Blackwell, 1989. Makeham, Paul. “Performing the City.” Theatre Research International (30), 2005, 150 – 160. Sandercock, L. (1998), Towards Cosmopolis, Chichester, John Wiley. (2003), Mongrel Cities, London, Continuum Press. Wheeler, Stephen. Planning for Sustainability: Creating Livable, Equitable, and Egological Communities. Routledge: New York, 2004. Read More