International Symposium ‘Confronting [In]Formality’
Location: Berlagezaal, Faculty of Architecture, Delft University of Technology
Date: 11th December 2014

* The initiative is sponsored by the Chair of Spatial Planning and Strategy (TU Delft) and Motiv.

Abstract

There is a growing attention for informal settlements and economies as important urban phenomena worth the attention of urban planners, designers and policy makers. We are witnessing a big raise in studies and projects on informality by architects and urbanists. There is a general belief that the informal structures possess an untapped potential to contribute to urban development.

Nevertheless, there is a substantial lack of knowledge on concept of informality. In the first place informal systems are strengthened by the public sector’s neglect of socio-spatial exclusion in cities. At the same time the incorporation of the informal structures in the formal urban development framework can erase the unique qualities and opportunities which informality brings to urban life.

Description

The symposium focuses on how informality is understood by contemporary practitioners in order to confront the shortcomings of urban planning and design. Responding to the current lack of discussion on this perspective at TU Delft, we would like to invite professionals, academics and students to discuss the diverse approaches in practice and academia towards different geographic and socio-economic contexts.

For a complete overview of the programme, see our website www.confrontinginformality.wordpress.com

Join our LinkedIN group – Confronting [In]Formality

Thanks for sharing!

Todor Kesarovski, Yos Purwanto, Daniel Radai, Belinda van Zijl

Graduating masters students in Urbanism, TU Delft