LAN2013Y: Design Studio 3

Forces that intertwine social and environmental issues manifest themselves physically in the built environment. For example, new density to alleviate housing inequity can sometimes occupy land that might otherwise have sequestered carbon and absorbed stormwater runoff. Robust green infrastructure for mitigating floods might inadvertently drive up land value and costs of housing resulting in a form of “climate gentrification”. This studio will negotiate these seemingly conflicting endeavours by providing a platform for students to engage in common areas and sites of research and design. Recognizing the immense social and environmental pressures our cities face today, the studio will ask students to re-conceive our neighbourhoods, highways, energy and food networks, affordable housing provisions, parks, stormwater systems, and other public assets that form the physical urban fabric and social safety nets.

1.00
St. George