Project Details

Studios and workshops investigate a series of DeltaCities in a climate of change. The goal of the comparative research is to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the swampy ground these cities share, to allow for an informed outlook into their future.

DeltaCities have been impelled to manage the advantages and disadvantages of their geographical setting from the first day. Similar patterns of modernization can be found in their asynchronous historic development, for example in the rise and fall of New Orleans and Venice during past centuries. Both former empires are sinking and shrinking as a consequence of loosing their adaptive capacities to a belief of control and order over nature during the process of modernization.

DeltaCities have been and will be the avantgarde in a process of adapting to various economic ecologic and socio-cultural changes imposed on other cities as well. In a dynamic environment of change, how can these cities stay fit to sustain a state of stability and not risk to decay in a state of stagnation?

Beginning with a critical reading of the shortcomings in the modernization of Venice other DeltaCities are studied as comparative research cases. How can the generalist professions landscape architecture and urbanism help to develop strategies that mediate future transformation processes?

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