Meaningful Urban Design:

Teleological/Catalytic/Relevant
ASEEM INAM

The text is about the deeper meaning of urban design. In the abstract, it`s clear that the
author is against the vague concept of urban design, which is considered as a set of
several disciplines as architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning and civil
engineering. He defends that this field should be studied considering the human
cultures and contributions to social development. In the text, he cites arguments and
examples that underlie his theory.
In "Provocations", the author cites two events of 1998 about the "New Urban Design".
He criticizes both, questioning if they are really meaningful. One of these events is
about Rem Koolhaas and the author doesn`t agree completely with his statements,
saying:
"Hating European snobbery and effeteness, he goes, at times, to an opposite extreme
and becomes a gullible, bedazzled idealizer of the USA and its associated
phenomena(...)"
The author also discusses the urban revival of some cities in the USA. And he is firm in
his first affirmative, saying that those cities suffer the effects of superficial aesthetics in
their urban designs. His examples prove his arguments and make them easier to
understand.
Another important point in the text is the argument against the teaching of urban design.
He can prove one more time why his theory is true. He states that in the schools, the
focus is more in the aesthetics (design) instead of how the city works (urban).
Considering the education as the basis of the work, at this point the author has already
proved why he is right. In my Brazilian university, I have professors on both sides. It
helps the students to understand the complete meaning of the urban design, but at the
same time it creates two groups with different objectives.
The author suggests that urban design should be approached with community
participation which enhances his theory even more. In Brazil, there are good examples
of this practice where the community can participate in the decisions about the city's
future. My city is one of them. There, the master plan was voted for by about 30,000
inhabitants and was based on good ecologic models.
The author uses current technology to engage students in the planning process. He
cites "SimCity", a city simulator game and how it can help in the urban understanding.
At the end of the text, the author makes a conclusion stating that new planners should
think of the world with its contemporary urban forces. And the important thing is to assist

people and make their lives happy and comfortable. This conclusion is encouraging for
the new generation of urban designers.