Codes and Conventions for Future Zurich: A Propositional Planning Approach to Qualitative Densification

Prof. Dr. Tom Avermaete | History and Theory of Urban Design

Codes and Conventions for Future Zurich: A Propositional Planning Approach to Qualitative Densification

This 4-year project uniquely combines historical and design-led research to explore urban strategies for housing the anticipated 25% population increase that Zurich is facing in the next 20 years. A ‘retroactive analysis’ of the historical evolution of building codes, as well as of the specific urban types and morphologies they have generated, will offer the basis for ‘propositional planning’ investigations of their required future adjustment to allow for a process of densification to occur while maintaining urban quality.

This project is undertaken collaboratively with ISUP, AAM and gta, ETH Zurich. Prof. Sergison and Prof. Avermaete will be working with Dr Irina Davidovici as project partner, and with two doctoral students and a postdoctoral project coordinator.