Different the Postmodern City and Modern Counterpart - Essay Example

? Introduction The postmodern and modern differs through several ideals, philosophies and manifestations of the building of the The differences aren’t apparent only in the basic components that are related to the building of the city and the approach which is used. There are also alterations in the cultural and social applications and how this is reflected in the building of the city. When looking at the various elements of the city, it can be seen that the expressions are reflective of the experiences that are held within a given area. The way in which the cities are built and expanded, as well as the framework for different buildings and components create this difference and lead to an understanding of how the city has changed while those living in a specific society have also altered. The Postmodern City The concept of the postmodern city became associated with the 1960s and was parallel to the changing lives of those in Western cities. The buildings as well as the structure of the city was known to construct with the cultural components, specifically with individuals moving out of the industrial age of mass production and into the entrepreneurial spirit. This was combined with the desire to build a sense of diversity, both in terms of the structures and architecture of buildings as well as the way in which the economics of different neighborhoods were able to work together. It was the two concepts of diversity and expansion out of the mass production that began to drive forward the ideology of the city. This was combined with the imperialist thought that was still associated with the elite, specifically which became interested in cities that could express a sense of wealth and power in various areas. Each of these proponents changed the city as well as the architecture and designs associated with each neighborhood. The concept of capitalism and the growth of urban renewal that could offer restructuring for money then became the most important component to building structures (Harvey, 1990: 6). The idea of development and the associations with postmodernism became reflective of the culture in several ways. While there was a movement outside of the mass production, there was also an increase in the consumer society. Individuals were interested in expansion specifically from the viewpoint of capitalism and economic structures that would assist in the building of wealth. Building a consumer culture followed this, specifically by building diverse neighborhoods that combined systematic areas which allowed individuals to consume easily and to maintain a heightened lifestyle through various products and goods. The consumption not only became relevant in the basic needs but also became reflective of one’s personality, social status and meaning of lifestyle which was associated with those in society. The result was the desire to create a sense of utopia by presenting the perfect image and by associating this with the neighborhoods which had been built, all which were based on consumer behaviors (Clarke, 2003: 167). Development of Modernism The concept of consumerism and diversity in is one which arose from a backlash among those interested in architecture and the transformations of society and culture. This came from the modernist approach of society. Many began to believe that the culture which was a part of each community was reflective of the values or loss of morality which occurred, specifically with the concept of creating and developing while maintaining a balance with those in society. Modernist thought was based first on the need to develop, specifically so individuals could come out of the communities and recognize a sense of diversity that was associated with a given region. The development was followed by reflecting this with the values and morality which one held as well as how this could create a reflection from the architecture and construction of the city (Berman, 1988: pg. 90). The idea of value which was built formed into the development of moving back into the natural and into the ideology of imagery and belief. The patterns which were associated with this included a development which balanced the concepts of c values within society. These orders were based on the experiences which one had as well as images which could represent this. A construction of this was from Manet and his paintings, specifically which reflected the construction and development of the modern city. A sense of building the future in the city, combined with development matching with the values of nature, were the main components that were presented and established. Creating value through development was the association which was constructed and idealized by painters, social classes and those within society (Clark, 1985: 73). Comparing the Modern and Post – Modern Both the modern and post – modern ideologies which were created represented the idea of development and the formation of cultural needs for the time frame. While modernism was focused on the construction and development of communities for production and value, post – modernism continued with this by creating diversity of structures and a sense of capitalism in the community. Each of these carried specific values that idolized what it meant to live in the modern city as well as how one could move forward in creating a social structure which was compatible with the growing and changing culture. These were based on the belief systems and changing values which were a proponent of society (Daniels, Rycroft, 1993: 460). The similarities between modernism and post – modernism were established from the idea of what should be valued among individuals in a community as well as how social order and structure could be established for easier living. The planning and professional development was based on the intellectual and social ideas of what it meant to live in the modern world, specifically which was initiated by the industrial age and the evolution of culture during each time frame. More important, both came as a result of the past century, both which conflicted with social tensions and ideals of the past. The 20th century idea of modernism was one which desired to create living that was easier, efficient and more developed than the past, specifically because of the belief that it had led to political and social corruption and disorganization within the community. Post – modernism established the same theory, specifically with the movement away from clutter communities of one culture and into one which expressed diversity and consumerism which made life simpler through planning and implementation (Hall, 1996: 7). Another factor associated with the changes in both types of modern living was based on the concept of the consciousness of society. While the architecture and development of the city was the main outcome, those in society were changing their values, thoughts and ideologies in relation to the city. There were beliefs among the social classes that led to development, specifically with the desire to come out of the small neighborhoods, to exchange ideals and to create communities which were able to easily respond to need. The architecture, as well as the planning of communities, didn’t come from the desire to create new creative structures in architecture or in the planning of a city. Instead, it came from social classes that demanded a change in living for ease of use and to create a different development of ideologies within their community (Harvey, 1985: 7). The modern and post – modern approaches to ideologies within communities not only come out of necessity. The higher social classes, political structures and economic need also create a sense of control and form when developing different neighborhoods and creating contrasts within the city. From the social and cultural agenda, there is a push toward the idealized city where dreams and the imagination is the only concept used to create the city. However, those in high society and in political leadership are able to create a different structure that is based on control, social classes and the need to create a sense of order for economic and social purposes. In looking at both eras, it can be seen that this is the undertone of what is built. From one perspective, the artists and those in society were interested in the imagination of the modern city and what potential this could lead to. Those in high society and with political leadership were also interested in creating structures which would support economics and increase the power structure and control of individuals in society (Wilson, 1991: 13). For example, the need to move into mass consumption and to control the work done in the modern age was followed by the political agenda to combine the industrial factories with residential areas, as well as mixing in the structure of nature within the same area. By adding everything into one area, there was the ability to divide economic classes and control what individuals in society did daily for living and for a sense of convenience within the city (LeGates, Stout, 1996: 5). Differences in Modern and Post – Modern Cities The concept of establishing control became important not only in the building of structures, but also in establishing the way that the space and place would represent different segments of society. Each era associated with the order of society and the controls which needed to be confronted. For instance, the idea of gender in both eras became essential in the planning and structure of the city. The modern era is one which expected women to stay at home and to build a domestic network, while men went to the daily work that was in other segments of society. The social space built was one which then combined places for the domestic lifestyle to dominate while the public and private segments were divided. However, the post – modern cities changed the space because women began to work and move into a modern lifestyle home. The concept of diversity then expanded with neighborhoods that were restructured to combine residential and economic combinations while altering the controls of networks. The space between both altered specifically because of gender roles and expectations of what individuals would do daily when in society (Massey, 2000: 134). Another concept related to the controls is based on the idea of the changes within the city and the paces which occur among those that are in the developing area. The first perspective to this is based on the controls which are used for individuals which come to or leave the city. The concept of migrant control, populations which experience fluctuations in diversity and the association with building boundaries for cultures are associations with the city. In the modern age, there was a focus on having a specific space for immigration, specifically with many who began to flock to the city for opportunity of wealth and to work with the mass production created. However, the controls with this were based on lower economic status and the cultural differences. In the post – modern era, there was a sense of multiculturalism which developed, specifically which began to work toward immigration of different cultures. This was combined with diverse settings in various populations as well as the focus on consumerism belonging to everyone. In both instances, it can be seen that economic controls were the main agenda, while the boundaries and the movement toward integration were specific toward changing the economic scheme within society (Raban, 1998: pg. 17). Another division which was created and which determined the spaces was based on the political changes which occurred, many which were associated with the economy. In the modernist era, the space was divided according to the political expansion and controls which were occurring. Revolutions against the government and the idea of trying to create Utopia were the main agendas. Those which had specific values and beliefs based on these political affiliations would work into different communities and try to construct a specific lifestyle according to the main interests. In the post - modernist era this changed outside of the use of space for revolutionary thought. Instead, the political agenda moved toward unification of diverse populations and the concept of creating leisure and a spectacle from the society. Post – modernist society changed the building structure because of the alterations in political affiliations and the idea of creating community based on capitalist thought. However, this was also created from the political agenda to change the economy according to the powers that were associated with society (Harvey, 2003: 219). Conclusion The concepts of modernism and post – modernism also led to the creation of space in a different manner and the way in which many regarded society and cultural living. When looking at the structure of the city, it can be seen that there were combined elements that shaped both, specifically which were based on the values and ideals of building a city which would benefit all in society with the daily living. However, there were differences in the creation of space, specifically which were based on the changing values. These altered from the past associations with the structure of the city as well as controls with the social structure, economics and the political environment of the time. The result was a re-creation of the city that was dependent on using space reflective of the values within society. References Berman, Marshall. All that is Solid Melts into Air: The Experience of Modernity (London: Verso, 1988). Clarke, T.J. The Painting of Modern Life: Paris in the Art of Manet and His Followers (London: Thames & Hudson, 1985). Clarke, David B. Consumer Society and the Postmodern City (London: Routledge, 2003). Daniels, Stephen, Simon Rycroft, ‘Mapping the Modern City: Alan Sillitoe’s Nottingham Novels,’ Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, 18 (1993). Hall, Peter. Cities of Tomorrow: An Intellectual History of Urban Planning and Design in the Twentieth Century (Oxford: Blackwell, 1996). Harvey, David. Consciousness and the Urban Experience (Oxford: Blackwell, 1985). Harvey, David The Condition of Postmodernity: An Inquiry into the Origins of Cultural Change (Oxford: Blackwell, 1990). Harvey, David. Paris: Capital of Modernity. (New York: Routledge, 2003). LeGates, Richard T. , Frederic Stout. The City Reader (New York: Routledge, 1996). Massey, Doreen. “Space, Place and Gender”. Malcolm Miles & Tim Hall (eds.), The City Cultures Reader (New York: Routledge, 2000). Raban, Jonathan. Soft City. (London: Harvill Press, 1998). Wilson, Elizabeth. The Sphinx in the City: Urban Life, the Control of Disorder, and Women (London: Virago, 1991). Read More