PhD Seminar “Neighborhoods in Transition II”
Textilfabrik (Mels), Meier Hug Architekten
Organized by the Laboratory of Architecture and Sustainable Technologies (LAST) within the axis Integrated Design, Architecture and Sustainability (IDEAS) in partnership with the Architectural Association School of Architecture (AA, London), the PhD seminar “Neighborhoods in Transition II” will explore, from 26-28 April 2025, the potentials of urban slopes in the context of a post-carbon society.
Architectural design plays a crucial role in finding alternatives to urban sprawl, aiming to regenerate and qualitatively densify existing urban areas near public transport hubs. More broadly, it seeks to integrate the practice of building into the transition towards a post-carbon society. In Switzerland, as in much of Europe, many urbanized areas are located on slopes, presenting a unique set of challenges related to buildings, landscape architecture, public spaces, infrastructure, energy use, climate change adaptation, and mobility.
The doctoral seminar “Neighborhoods in Transition II. Potentials of Urban Slopes in a Post-Carbon Context” is designed to explore the complex dynamics of sloping neighborhoods in urban environments. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, the course blends elements of sustainable architecture, urban studies, urban geography, and climate resilience, encouraging students to critically engage with the multifaceted nature of urbanity on sloped terrain. We will examine how sloping neighborhoods and their built environments can adapt to the challenges of the post-carbon transition, considering historical contexts, contemporary issues, and prospective visions.
This course aims to foster in-depth discussions among doctoral students in architecture, urban studies, geography, and urban sociology, all of whom are interested in exploring sloping neighborhoods through the lens of a post-carbon future. Students will deepen their understanding of how architectural design can contribute to urban transitions, particularly in challenging topographies like urban slopes.
The seminar is structured around three core research themes for analyzing and designing sloping neighborhoods: Foundations, Strategies, and Projects. Each theme is addressed in a half-day session, combining theoretical frameworks with contemporary architectural design practice. Each thematic session features two lectures from external experts—architects, urban planners, geographers, or landscape architects—and a roundtable discussion, providing ample opportunities for doctoral students to engage with the speakers. Informal activities, such as site visits and shared meals, will also encourage interaction and foster a convivial seminar environment.
