Parallel to the workshop in Curitiba Prof. Philipp Heidkamp of KISD works with a second team on the same topic in Cologne, Germany:
The project is about understanding complex situations in urban space by finding simple relationships at the streetlevel, according to the topic »Mobility«. Analyzing micro-events at a local level is the key to designing the future of a complex (mega)city.
As Lucius Burkardt pointed out, "Design is invisible". We have to look beyond the visible, unveil and understand the patterns (Christopher Alexander) and come up with ideas of the social qualities in the design of urban space.
We approach the topic by investigating the context of the micro-events, trying to find parts of organisational systems (time tables, ticket machines etc.) and analysing their relations and meanings..
The teams will research with the focus on »Urban Intersection«: In which way are encounters in traffic (non-motorized-vehicles, pedestriants, public transport, cars etc.) affected by apparent and invisible rules? How do people communicate when they intersect? Which services and products are involved?
The teams work with a set of research and analysis tools and explore the city of Cologne. The transformation of the research results will be integrated and made accessible. Both teams will collaborate and exchange via this platform â an open discourse will be initiated. Exchange means using the cultural differencies to de-code the layers and meanings we do not see in our culture - as they are habits of everyday actions thus making us "blind" to look beyond the surface.
