City of Bits: Space, Place, and the Infobahn
Abstract
Entertaining, concise, and relentlessly probing, City of Bits is a comprehensive introduction to a new type of city, an increasingly important system of virtual spaces interconnected by the information superhighway. William Mitchell makes extensive use of practical examples and illustrations in a technically well-grounded yet accessible examination of architecture and urbanism in the context of the digital telecommunications revolution, the ongoing miniaturization of electronics, the commodification of bits, and the growing domination of software over materialized form.
... William J. Mitchell's City of Bits further elaborates on the impact of digital technologies on urban spaces, envisioning a shift from traditional, physically anchored urban forms to hybrid environments where digital and physical elements seamlessly coexist. Mitchell (1995) argues that "the digital telecommunications revolution and the ongoing miniaturization of electronics have profoundly transformed our concepts of space and place," underscoring the potential of XR technologies to reimagine architectural spaces and their societal roles. This vision aligns with the possibilities offered by XR technologies, which allow for the creation of immersive, interactive architectural experiences that transcend the limitations of physical space. ...
... They considered natural forces, entities, and the rules governing these virtual spaces. Drawing theoretical background from City of Bits (Mitchell, 1995), students designed worlds with their own systems and rules. world-building concept where the terrain and life forms were influenced by an abstract geometrical form. ...
... Projects like "The Orbit" and "World Building" exemplify how students were able to design complex virtual worlds with their own rules and systems. Drawing on William J. Mitchell's concept of the digital transformation of space in City of Bits, these projects demonstrate that digital environments can transcend the limitations of physical space, offering new possibilities for commercial and ecological interactions (Mitchell, 1995). By using XR, students explored innovative ways to simulate and engage with complex systems, reflecting Mitchell's assertion that digital technologies profoundly alter our perception and interaction with space. ...
This paper examines the impact of Extended Reality (XR) technologies, including Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR), on architectural education, using the Design Technologies course at Istanbul Bilgi University as a case study. XR allows students to transcend traditional architectural boundaries, creating immersive and dynamic digital spaces. Through a qualitative analysis of student projects, the study explores the integration of theoretical frameworks from Gilles Deleuze, Pierre Lévy, and William J. Mitchell. These frameworks emphasize the fluidity of virtual spaces, where architecture is no longer bound by physical constraints but continuously evolving through interaction and transformation. The findings demonstrate that XR fosters innovative design thinking, enhances technical proficiency, and deepens students' understanding of spatial dynamics. Ultimately, the paper concludes that XR technologies provide significant educational value by equipping students with the skills necessary to navigate and shape the future of architectural practice.
... This era has reshaped public spaces and interactions by integrating digital tools into everyday life. William Mitchell9s City of Bits articulates how information technology has fundamentally altered architectural and spatial experiences, suggesting that urban environments now blend physical and digital realms (Mitchell, 1996). This theoretical shift demands a reevaluation of urban design, ...
... where traditional spatial concepts are disrupted by the digital overlay of public spaces. Mitchell (1996) posits that the Internet has transformed public space into a new form of interaction and communication, emphasizing the need to understand these shifts in the context of urban design and planning. ...
... In City of Bits: Space, Place, and the Infobahn, Mitchell (1996) poses the question, "How should virtual and physical public spaces relate to each other?" He explores the idea that contemporary public spaces need to evolve in response to the transformations in social relations brought about by technological advancements. ...
This thesis explores how digital technologies are transforming public spaces and their impact on urban identity and morphology. The research focuses on the integration of digital tools such as smart information systems, digital communication networks, and digital solutions, analyzing their roles in enhancing accessibility, inclusivity, sustainability, safety, and resilience. The study includes case examples from cities like Singapore, Barcelona, Tokyo, Amsterdam, and Istanbul to illustrate these dynamics. The findings demonstrate that digitalization profoundly alters urban functionality and user experience. Case studies reveal that digital tools facilitate new forms of engagement, redefine urban services, and influence both the physical and conceptual aspects of urban identity. For instance, Istanbul’s Kadıköy Square exemplifies how digital infrastructure can shift social dynamics and spatial configurations, while cities like Tokyo and Amsterdam highlight changes in urban form and infrastructure due to digital integration.
Key insights show that innovations such as digital displays, interactive installations, and smart technologies contribute to sustainability and urban development goals, affecting transportation and infrastructure planning. However, challenges such as inconsistent digital adoption and the rapid evolution of technology are noted. Future research should address these challenges by examining diverse urban contexts and long-term impacts. Recommendations include customizing digital solutions to local needs, improving security and sustainability, and preserving cultural heritage in the face of digital advancements. This research emphasizes the need for a nuanced, interdisciplinary approach to integrating digital technologies into urban design.
Keywords: Public space, Digitalization, Smart city, Urban space, Digital age.
... Ya no es un modelo único, sino que existen diversas ciudades digitales. Frente a un modelo libertario y civil como el que muestra Lovink para Ámsterdam (Lovink, 2002) se ve el sistema antiguo, competitivo y de negocios (Mitchell, 1996). Ambos tienen en común el uso de la infraestructura de las comunicaciones, pero con un sentido y una estructura radicalmente diferentes. ...
... Global networks/linked cities. Nueva York-Londres: Routledge. Mitchell, W. J. (1996). City of bits: Space, place and the infobahn. ...
... There is no longer a single model, but a variety of digital cities. In contrast to a libertarian and civil model such as Lovink's plans for Amsterdam (Lovink, 2002), there is the other, older, competitive and business model (Mitchell, 1996). One thing they have in common is the use of the communications infrastructure, but they differ radically in terms of its meaning and structure. ...
«Ciudad adentro en la galaxia rural» recoge ideas presen-
tadas en el simposio sobre pensamiento que tuvo lugar el
16 de noviembre en CentroCentro con motivo de la exposi-
ción homónima allí celebrada en el otoño de 2022.
Este libro reúne los textos de Javier Echeverría, Llorenç
Barber y Noni Benegas, junto con aquellos que han apor-
tado los nueve filósofos e investigadores que participaron
en nuestros conversatorios y preguntorios. Procedentes
de distintas tradiciones, nos referimos a Lola S. Almen-
dros, Andoni Alonso Puelles, Eurídice Cabañes, Adolfo
Estalella, Amador Fernández-Savater, Alfonso Galindo
Hervás, Leire Iriarte Cerdán, Alejandro Martín Navarro,
y Angélica Velasco Sesma. El simposio contó con el apo-
yo del Instituto de Filosofía del CSIC, dirigido por Concha
Roldán.
... Such design involves ways of conceptualizing and working with materials that "perform" in terms of a variety of structural, chemical, mechanical, and computational effects as well as the pace and orchestration of these effects during fabrication and, long after, in contexts of use. This is no longer selection from a stable and standing reserve of material resources that can be manipulated hands-on within the design studio; rather, these are designs that can span the spatial-temporal scales of "atoms and bits" through to "infobahns" with global reach (Mitchell, 1996). ...
Many disciplines are turning toward design today, in what some scholars are calling a ‘design turn’ within society and academia. A field is emerging, for example, in between the Futures Studies and design disciplines. An emergent field such as ‘design futures’ may seem contradictory, however, given that design has historically been preoccupied with objects, materials and space, rather than with time and the future. While many will be familiar with spatial design fields such as interior, furniture and industrial design, however, temporality is central to a number of more recently emerging fields such as communication, experience and interaction design. Through outlining some of the concerns and practices in such fields and by pointing at several practical design examples, I explore in this paper some of the ways in which temporality and futurity have entered more substantially and explicitly into design. Futurity, I argue, is one of many ways through which to expose and explore the heterogeneous nature of design, to inquire about which knowledges as well as whose are at stake both within design and within the wider ‘design turn’. With reference to Futures Studies and, more explicitly, a typology that makes explicit the different knowledge paradigms underpinning different futures approaches, I argue that design scholarship should become similarly explicit and reflexive. Ultimately, by recognizing the multiple and different knowledge foundations in design, new possibilities are revealed for broadening and deepening the emergent field in between Futures Studies and design.
... The need for flexible design constructs has led to the theoretical representation of mechanical systems on a universal scale. Mitchell (1996) evaluated the current conditions of the interaction between virtual reality and the concept of space. He predicts that in the near future, dwellings will become an indispensable part of users, like organs or nervous systems. ...
Conceptual approaches that systematically integrate ecological reasoning with algorithmic design processes have gained increasing attention in theoretical discussions on architectural practice. However, a significant gap remains in terms of their application, particularly within the context of housing architecture. In response to this theoretical gap, this study aims to evaluate the algorithmic orientations of designers who transform their spatial inquiries into an ecological organization through hypothetical housing examples. This evaluation is framed through the concept of morphogenetic design—a biologically informed architectural approach in which form and space evolve not through predetermined templates but through generative, adaptive, and systemic processes. Accordingly, the study addresses two main research questions: 'The potential impact of morphogenetic design on residential buildings' and 'Integration of morphogenetic design into housing construction processes'. The study employed a qualitative research design and the literature review method to answer the research questions. The research sample consists of four hypothetical housing projects: Embryological House, Multistory Apartment Building, Molecular Engineered House, and The Fab Tree Hab. These projects were developed using morphogenetic design approaches in 2000 and beyond. In order to collect data from the main mass in an easy and fast way, Homogeneous sampling method, one of the purposeful sampling types, was preferred. In this context, the 'descriptive content analysis method' was preferred to analyse the data obtained in the research and the data was analysed in two stages. In the first stage, descriptive analysis was carried out and the general trend was determined by examining the qualitative studies that could answer the research questions. In the second stage, content analysis was carried out and the data obtained were organised and interpreted according to the parameters set by the researcher. The analysis indicates that morphogenetic design has the capacity to substantially transform the formal, functional and ecological dimensions of future residential buildings. Digital design methods, biologically inspired production techniques and user-participatory design strategies have rendered it feasible for buildings to self- renew, establish symbiotic relationships with their environment and adapt to various living scenarios. This process is characterised by the integration of sustainability and user experience across multiple stages, ranging from design to construction.
... There exist key differences between traditional crimes and cybercrimes given the characteristics of the space in which they occur. Mitchell (1995) described virtual space as lacking distance between any two points, which reduces boundaries between people and groups. Interactions between individuals are easier than ever before, and the digital space offers more opportunities for hiding interactions (Grabosky 2001). ...
Esports popularity exploded in the last decade. The safety of its participants, many of them children, is under threat crime and deviance. This article examines crime and deviance in the esports playground from the lens of Routine Activities Theory, a criminological theory that recognizes the importance of guardianship in reducing crime, where weak guardianship results in higher likelihood of crime and in spaces where there simultaneously exist motivated offenders and attractive targets. This article contributes to a better understanding of the digital playground of esports by applying a theoretical framework from criminology to games and play phenomena. Examining the esports playground from this perspective reveals that the incidents of crime and deviance occurring can be explained by weak guardianship. This criminal justice perspective applied to play phenomena is almost nonexistent, and as such this article establishes a necessary foundation for future research and exploration in multiple disciplines.
... William Mitchell (1995) describes urban planning as the art of creating and changing cities, their streets, and parts to satisfy human needs and aspirations 3 . This concept emphasizes that the goal of urban planning is to create cities that meet the needs and aspirations of people. ...
This study explores the development and subsequent decline of public participation mechanisms in urban planning in Belarus, with a focus on the period before and after the political events of 2020. Prior to 2020, public engagement in decision-making was a growing trend, marked by legislative advancements between 2016 and 2019, including the adoption of acts that expanded public discussions and strengthened collaboration between public organizations and government bodies. These efforts demonstrated progress in fostering participatory practices.
However, the political upheaval of 2020 disrupted this trajectory, leading to significant legislative rollbacks, increased repression against civil society, and Belarus's withdrawal from the Aarhus Convention. These changes have severely restricted citizens' access to participation mechanisms and limited the role of public organizations in decision-making processes. Mechanisms such as public advisory councils and independent environmental expertise have ceased to function, while others, like public discussions and citizen appeals, operate under constrained conditions and diminished public trust.
Expert interviews reveal that, despite the formal existence of participation rights and mechanisms, their practical application is hindered by administrative barriers, repression, and the broader political environment. This study concludes that while public participation in Belarus showed significant development prior to 2020, the events of that year caused a regression in participatory practices, creating substantial obstacles to civic engagement and the effective implementation of decision-making mechanisms.
... Furthermore, there is the fostering of old and the establishing of new communities. Almost all of these dimensions can be found in the works of Nicholas Negroponte and William Mitchell-to name just two notable proponents of this utopia from the mid-1990s (Mitchell, 1995;Negroponte, 1995). ...
This open access book advances a modest defence of technological utopias. While technological utopianism is not devoid of risks and elitism, their benefits should not be discounted in an overall assessment. Rather than rejecting them based on a too narrow definition of utopianism, we must acknowledge their potential to exceed the individualist vs. collectivist dichotomy ascribed to traditional utopias. The author argues, with reference to Rawls’ idea of the basic structure that technological utopias challenge our understanding of the scope and location of justice and, thereby, advance the idea of justice. The book critically reviews the most recent literature in political philosophy, where utopias are understood as ideal theories of justice and sides with recent contributions to Utopian Studies, where utopias’ potential to estrange from the present and galvanize action are underscored.
... With urban development trends evolving, urban designers must be mindful of the shifts induced by smart urban strategies in their projects. There are many urban transformations can be named as sentient urbanism, city as interface and platform, adaptive and resilient design, programmable city, interactive experience, etc. [15][16][17][18]. Through the ingenuity and concepts of urban designers, urban spaces are tailored to address the requirements of individuals and enhance their quality of life. ...
... The initial reference to the concept of a Smart City: It was proposed in the 1990s in the book "City of Bits" by William J. Mitchell. This book introduced the concept of the smart city, emphasizing the use of information technologies to enhance urban living (Mitchell, 1995). ...
The purpose of this book is to explore the various definitions that scientists and experts have provided regarding the concept of Smart urban management. This research begins with an examination and review of the partial definitions offered by scholars and theorists in this field, as reflected in the existing systematic literature. Subsequently, it will evolve to address additional aspects, such as the emergence of the concept and the analysis of various Smart urban management models.
In this book, the concept of Smart urban management is explored, along with an overview of global experiences related to this field. This book comprises four chapters, each addressing a significant aspect of Smart urban management.
The first chapter, titled The Concept of Smart Urban Management, comprehensively examines the fundamental concepts and principles of smart urban management. Key dimensions include the integration of new technologies, citizen participation, energy efficiency, Smart transportation, and the enhancement of urban quality of life. These elements are central to the implementation of this innovative approach to urban management. Additionally, this chapter outlines the primary concepts and objectives of Smart urban management.
The second chapter, titled Global Experiences in Smart Urban Management, examines successful projects and experiences in Smart Urban Management on a global scale. This section includes an analysis of successful cases from various cities around the world, highlighting the effectiveness and efficiency of different Smart urban management methods.
The third chapter, titled Urban Management: Challenges and Proposed Solutions, the obstacles to implementing and realizing Smart Urban Management. It analyzes these issues in depth and presents solutions and strategies to address the challenges, ultimately aiming to enhance the performance of Smart urban management.
In the fourth and final chapter of this book, the general findings and key conclusions of this book are briefly summarized. Additionally, recommendations for future research and the advancement of studies in this field are presented.
This book has been compiled to provide a comprehensive overview of the concepts and experiences associated with Smart urban management. It serves as a valuable resource for individuals interested in this field, as well as for professionals and students engaged in related disciplines.
As the authors of this book, our primary objective is to familiarize readers with the fundamental concepts and principles of Smart urban management while enabling them to benefit from successful global experiences in this field. This book serves as a comprehensive resource for research and study, catering to students, researchers, and individuals interested in the domain of Smart urban management.
Considering the increasing trend of urbanization worldwide and the pressing need to enhance the quality of life in urban areas, this book serves as a practical guide for professionals in the field of urban management. Additionally, it aims to assist researchers and urban decision-makers in identifying effective solutions to address the challenges of Smart urban management and in implementing these proposed solutions to tackle these issues.
We hope that this book, by providing comprehensive and well-documented information about Smart urban management, will enhance knowledge and awareness of this important and widely utilized field. Ultimately, our goal is to contribute to the improvement of quality of life in urban areas and to enhance the overall performance of cities.
With precision and focus, we have endeavored to explain the complex concepts of Smart urban management in a clear and comprehensible manner. We aim to help readers understand the challenges and solutions associated with this field. We hope that this book serves as a valuable resource for individuals seeking a deeper understanding of Smart urban management.
Finally, we invite readers and those interested in this field to read this book and share their opinions, suggestions, and criticisms with us, so that we can make the necessary improvements in future editions.
Thank you for your attention. We hope that this book proves useful to all readers. If you have any questions or require further information, please feel free to reach out to us.
... Arguably, this understanding of the city as an adaptive and interconnected architecture would co-constitute the emerging discourse of "Smart Cities" in the early twenty-first century. This tendency, characterized by William Mitchell (1995) as the "growing domination of software over materialized form" (p. 5), had been integral to the Korean government's overarching objective of computerizing the nation since the 1980s. ...
This article examines the role of communication in governing transportation in cities, focusing on the history of traffic management in South Korea. It analyzes 2 concrete developments: Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and the Traffic Culture Index (TCI). Drawing from cultural studies of transportation and infrastructures and science and technology studies (STS), this article explores the changing sociotechnical dynamics between transportation, communication, and culture that supported the government's efforts to recalibrate scientific methods to govern urban infrastructural flows. It demonstrates how these systems furthered the long-term governmental objectives of understanding and civilizing the movements of data, bodies, and things, reflecting the increasing relevance of computational systems as a metaphor and a model for controlling urban environments. By tracing the historical convergence of communication and transportation, the article argues that this integration signifies a growing dominance of communication over transportation, marking a shift in the government's regulatory function.
... Relative distance has been enhanced by humans over generations, using external facilities for the shortening of relative distance: first, by using animals for riding, followed later by animal-driven carts, and in modern times, also by cycles and mechanized vehicles (see, e.g., Falk & Abler, 1980). Absolute and relative distance and space, as well as proximity, have been viewed, in varying ways for preindustrial, industrial, and postindustrial cities, as constituting tyrannies for human mobilities (Warntz, 1967;Toffler, 1980;Duranton, 1999;Blainley, 1966;Mitchell, 1995). 'Space is a tyrant and distances enforce his rule' (Warntz, 1967, p. 7). ...
Distance, a concept that continues to be relevant and rather complex, is far from being obsolete despite its diminishing role in the age of virtual space. It represents spatial separation, a notion that was first quantified in Egypt some 5,000 years ago. The evolution of distance can be traced through five distinct phases: natural (absolute and relative distances), relational (time and cost distances, distance decay, friction of distance, and distanciation), technological (extensibility, accessibility, and speed), virtual (proximity, digital, cognitive, and metaphorical distances), and optional (optional and estimated distances). These historical phases have built upon each other, leading to our contemporary experience of all distance classes depending on specific separation cases. Modern humans may overcome any distance on earth, one way or another, unless prevented from doing so by political national sovereignties.
... Merkezi tiyatro alanı gökyüzüne beklenmedik bir dikey eksen oluşturur; uygun bir havada açılan bir kinetik çatı ile yıldızların gözlenmesine de olanak sağlayacak şekilde tasarlandığından adı "Starlight" olarak belirlendiği belirtilmektedir (Görsel 8). Mitchell (1996) ise, bu yeni mekan anlayışı ile "mekansal ortamların" (inhabitation) yeni bir anlam kazanacağını ve kemiklerinizin mimari olarak tanımlanmış bir alana daha az gireceğini, mekanla daha az ilgisi olan sinir sisteminizi mekandaki elektronik organlara bağlamakla var olacağımızı söylemektedir. Böylece, odamız ve evimizin bizim bir parçanız olurken bizim de onların parçası olacağımızı öngörmektedir. ...
Hızla gelişen teknolojik ilerlemeler ve sanatsal ifadelerin kavşağında, 1968 yılında S. Kubrick tarafından yönetilen ve A. C Clarke’ın etkileyici anlatısı “The Sentinel”ın sinematik bir uyarlaması olarak sunulan “2001: A Space Odyssey,” derinlemesine insan evrimi, teknolojik ilerleme ve yapay zeka gibi alanları keşfeden özgün bir bilim kurgu filmidir. Film, çığır açan görsel yenilikler ve fütüristik mekan ve yaşam tasvirleri üzerine kurulmuştur. Makalede, bilgisayar destekli tasarım (CAD), bilgisayar destekli üretim (CAM), kinetik mimarlık ve yapay zeka (AI) alanlarındaki gelişmelerle, aynı dönemde üretilen bu bilim kurgu filmi, bu alanlar üzerinden incelenmektedir. İncelemelerle 2001: A Space Odyssey” filmiyle fütüristik temaların ve teknolojik öngörülerin çağdaş mimari ve ilgili teknolojilerle nasıl etkileşime girdiğinin ve filmin günümüzde görünen mimari etkilerinin ortaya koyulması amaçlanmaktadır. Dolayısıyla, filmin çağdaş mimari üzerindeki potansiyel etkileri ve yansımaları ele alınmaktadır. Ayrıca benzer konuları barındıran ve sonraki yıllarda vizyona giren filmler örneklenmektedir. Kuram, görselleştirme ve modellemeler sürekli birbirlerinden beslenirler. Filmler, bilim ve sanatın entegrasyonuyla geleceğe vizyoner katkılar yapmanın yollarını da göstermektedir. Bu perspektiften film incelendiğinde filmin yüksek teknoloji ile üretilen birçok mimari yapı tasarımı, inşaat veya donanımı için bir ilham kaynağı olabildiği görülmektedir. Sonuç olarak, sinemanın bilimden ilham alan anlatılarıyla bugüne ve geleceğe vizyoner katkılar yapabileceğine işaret edilmektedir
... Expanding on these ideas, Mitchell (1996) bridges the disciplines of urban studies and digital technologies by introducing the concept of a city unbound by physical constraints, shaped by digital connectivity, where code governs every interaction within the virtual and physical realms. This exploration into digital connectivity and code signifies a pivotal intersection between urban studies and computer science, highlighting the profound impact of digital technologies on urban spaces. ...
Exploring the intersection of architecture, urbanism, and cybersecurity, this paper introduces architects and urban planners as “urban/archi-hackers,” proposing a novel approach to urban design. Prompted by the question, "What if an architect and/or urban planner viewed a city as a program and acted like a hacker?", it delves into speculative architecture to reimagine urban identities through hacking methodologies. Advocating for architects, and urban planners to view the city as a program, it outlines “de-code,” “encode,” and “re-code” phases to speculatively alter urban environments. The “de-code” phase analyzes the city's fabric through literature, maps, and data. “Encode” formulates a blueprint based on the “de-code” findings, while “re-code” envisions speculative hacking interventions to generate strategic, creative solutions. This methodology, embedded in a speculative framework, proposes a dynamic, iterative process adaptable to specific urban contexts. This approach not only challenges architectural norms but also enriches the dialogue between architects, urban planners, and urban spaces. The paper introduces a new lexicon for urban engagement by integrating architecture and urban planning with cybersecurity, emphasizing a comprehensive understanding of cities' social dynamics, including socio-economic and socio-cultural, as well as physical dimensions. It envisions a future of continuous urban innovation, where “urban/archi-hackers” perpetually transform landscapes. By prioritizing curiosity and imaginative engagement, the findings, inherently speculative, underscore the potential of this methodology to foster a dynamic, adaptable urban future, opening new possibilities for archi-hacking methodologies.
... The intricate confluence of urban studies, enriched by the interplay of immersive art and design, critical mapping, urban heritage, and socio-environmental justice, is more than a mere theoretical endeavor. This symbiosis, as viewed through a multidimensional prism, offers invaluable insights into the historical evolution, persistent power dynamics, and aspirations of inclusivity within urban contexts (Auge, 1995;Harvey, 2013;Mitchell, 1996;Lefebvre, 1996;Varış Husar et al., 2023;Mehan, 2024 a;2022). ...
... Several researchers and practitioners have examined the concept of spatial justice, a prominent topic within critical urban studies and community development (Cuff, Mitchell, 1996). Checker (2005) provides insight into the paradoxical politics of urban sustainability, which is also considered in this research. ...
The research discussed in this paper centers around the convergence of extended reality (XR) platforms, computational design, digital fabrication, and critical urban study practices. Its aim is to cultivate interdisciplinary and multi- scalar approaches within these domains. The research endeavor represents a collaborative effort between two primary disciplines: critical urban studies, which prioritize socio-environmental justice, and integrated digital design- to-production, which emphasize the realization of volumetric or voxel-based structural systems. Moreover, the exploration encompasses augmented reality to assess its utilization in both the assembly process of the structures and the integration of phygital (physical and digital) data with the physical environment. Within the context of these research scopes, this paper introduces FabriCity-XR as an interactive phygital installation. In addition to presenting an overview of the integrated research driven and performative design to production methodologies, the project showcases the practical implementation of web-based augmented reality trails, eliminating the requirement for external applications for interaction. This approach allows users to seamlessly navigate and engage with phygital content overlaid on physical objects using their personal smart devices. The result is a captivating and immersive user experience that effectively merges the physical and digital realms.
... Even though space produced by technology can be considered profoundly antispatial (Mitchell, 1996), there are several reasons for which space and time remain significant despite any technological advancements. First, connectivity in terms of infrastructure and speed is largely characterized by spatial imbalances. ...
Space is a notion that has triggered many debates through time. Various approaches have been introduced to define space and its characteristics. This chapter provides a brief presentation on the various definitions of space as an initial point of this book, starting with the early approaches related to the absolute conceptions of space and moving on to its relative conceptions.
... Si el medio era el mensaje, un medio destinado a extenderse sobre toda la superficie del planeta no podía sino generar nuevas ciudades, nuevos espacios públicos y nuevas formas de comunidad. Así, cuando la ciudad perdida de Kublai Kahn se concretó finalmente en la World Wide Web en 1993, la identificación de los modelos organizativos de internet con nuevos modelos de organización social y urbana se sucedió con naturalidad (Mitchell, 1995). La red, al disponer un entorno teóricamente accesible a todos los habitantes del planeta, prometía un modelo de organización descentralizado, horizontal, abierto a poblaciones ajenas a la emisión pública de información y propenso a la generación orgánica de ideas y conocimiento (Rheingold, 1993). ...
Este artículo estudia los orígenes y principios de los formatos que, en la década de 2000, canalizaron la aparición de nuevas formas del discurso y la crítica de arquitectura en internet. Comenzando con aquellos que impulsaron el acceso al ejercicio discursivo desde posiciones alternativas a las reguladas por la industria editorial o la academia –el blog, el microblog y el foro– y continuando con aquellos otros generalizados tras la irrupción de las redes sociales –el hilo y el tablón–, el artículo recorre los formatos que definieron en ese periodo los derechos y deberes de la producción discursiva digital, así como la evolución de su ideario asociado desde la participación y la democratización hacia el comercialismo y el control.
... On the contrary, as will become clear in the following pages, the methodology of the project is strongly based on digital tools as public spaces of expression to the outside world through photo-sharing. In the Windows in Lockdown project, physical and digital public spaces are strongly connected and together contribute to the production of collective memory (Mitchell 1995;de Freitas 2010;Manovich, 2016). With regard to the term 'social', the main objective of the paper is to highlight and explore the social nature of streets, squares and places (Whyte 1980;Lefebvre 1991), which has been neglected in previous studies of COVID-19 collective memory. ...
... Debata naukowa na temat możliwości rozwiązywania problemów miejskich społeczności za pomocą "sprytnych" rozwiązań technologicznych została zainicjowana na styku dwóch dyscyplin -zarządzania i informatyki -już w pierwszej połowie lat 90. XX wieku (Mitchell, 1996;Graham i Aurigi, 1997). Smart city jako propozycja kompleksowego podejścia do modernizacji przestrzeni miejskiej upowszechniła się natomiast w literaturze w kolejnej dekadzie, stając się nowym paradygmatem w zarządzaniu miastem (Mora i in., 2017). ...
Celem artykułu jest ocena percepcji wdrażanych w Krakowie projektów na rzecz rozwoju miasta inteligentnego. Uzasadnieniem dla podjętych badań jest to, że większość empirycznych analiz mechanizmów wdrażania koncepcji smart city koncentruje się na aspektach technicznych, rzadziej podejmowana jest diagnoza postaw, opinii i oczekiwań mieszkańców, pomimo że w świetle badań teoretycznych partycypacja obywateli wpływa na te procesy. W opracowaniu zaprezentowano wyniki ankiety przeprowadzonej na reprezentatywnej próbie studentów krakowskich uczelni. Ankieta dotyczyła m.in.: znajomości koncepcji smart city, opinii na temat postępów w jej wdrażaniu oraz oczekiwań co do kolejnych innowacji. Z przeprowadzonych badań wynika, że znajomość koncepcji smart city jest słaba. Osoby zorientowane w tej tematyce pozytywnie oceniają efekty zmian w poszczególnych wymiarach inteligentnego miasta. Optymistycznym spostrzeżeniem są wysokie oczekiwania respondentów co do aktywności innowacyjnej władz miejskich.
... E se perguntou por que isso importa? A resposta é que importa porque as estruturas cívicas emergentes e arranjos espaciais da era digital afetam o acesso a oportunidades econômicas e serviços públicos, o caráter do discurso público, as formas de atividade cultural, a instituição do poder e as experiências que dão forma e conteúdo às nossas rotinas cotidianas (MITCHELL, 2000). ...
As mudanças tecnológicas em curso afetam os mais diversos aspectos da vida cotidiana. A partir dessa constatação, neste texto, as inovações tecnológicas são tratadas não como uma macrotendência dimensional que influencia eventos futuros, mas como meta-tendências, no sentido que permeiam quase todos os aspectos da vida contemporânea e certamente serão cada vez mais presentes nas próximas décadas. O desenvolvimento tecnológico ocorre hoje de forma integrada e forçando a convergências de diversas disciplinas. A convergência tecnológica amplifica a conectividade com o surgimento uma gama de produtos e serviços mediados por plataformas digitais e baseadas em localização. Existem inúmeros exemplos atuais que ilustram os processos de convergência. Considerando somente as atividades relacionadas com o Turismo, setor relevante para Salvador, plataformas de compartilhamento de imóveis, leitos, serviços, viagens, veículos já são hoje disponíveis e desestabilizam as antigas práticas centradas em corporações e regulações definidas em décadas anteriores. É importante considerar que se as tecnologias digitais não serão tudo que se deve considerar como relevante para o futuro, por outro lado, tem impacto em quase tudo, tornando indispensável
The urban landscape of the Russian Arctic, shaped during the Soviet era of extensive urbanization, embeds narratives of colonial appropriation and serves as the foundation for ongoing urban development. In light of climatic, political, and social uncertainties, design disciplines must navigate the balance between environmental sustainability and the varied needs of residents, requiring a systemic approach to design. This study combines theoretical analysis with qualitative field research conducted in two Western Siberian cities (Novyy Urengoy and Tarko-Sale), including interviews, mental mapping, and systematic observation of urban life. Analysis of the collected data revealed significant challenges in current urban design practices, particularly regarding weather protection, seasonal adaptation, and social space creation. The proposed model constitutes a pioneering initiative in domestic Arctic urban research, aiming to conceptualize a context-sensitive approach to urban environmental formation, thereby challenging prevalent universal/mainstream methodologies and establishing a theoretical framework for future applications. Our theoretical model synthesizes representations, perceptions, and materiality, conceptualizing the architectural environment as a context-sensitive “life-support module”. This conceptualization emphasizes that successful Arctic urban design must emerge from specific local contexts rather than universal solutions, as demonstrated by our analysis of residents’ spatial practices and adaptations to extreme conditions. We reference media studies to analyze urban materiality as both an artificial construct that mediates perceptions of the immediate surroundings and as a generative force that actively shapes meanings, practices, and sensations. Our findings indicate that current standardized approaches to Arctic urban development often fail to address local needs and environmental conditions, suggesting the necessity for a fundamental shift in design methodology. Given that the urban realm is a fundamental component in shaping individual and collective perceptions, this conceptual shift has the potential to significantly influence prevailing societal views of the “empty” and “hostile” Arctic.
Cities, home now to most people, offer services, cultural activities, innovative thinking; also deprivation, alienating divisions of labour and declining public services because of neoliberal austerity as city infrastructures increasingly meet industry not social needs, especially so in developing countries trapped into importing foreign technology including social values. The concept of smart cities is critiqued as a neoliberal policy (faster but atomising) as are liberal approaches to city living such as Lefebvre, Fraser and Sennett that focus on transport and traffic flows, not value-flows. City waste policies are also critiqued including rubbish belongs to poor and the notion that capitalism will design for sustainability. An array of ecosystems for life are criticised: (a) creative industries; (b) mass sports; (c) growth and innovation (African jobless); (d) security; (e) residential care; (f) emergency services and then city democracy and how big investment decisions are taken. Finally, does the city make us free? Analysis of spatiality, planning and libraries suggests it could, but it does not.
Humans have been constructing an increasingly intricate layer of information atop the material world. With the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), this information layer is evolving into a realm of heightened intelligence, effectively transforming into an information-centric domain for humanity. The advent of big data has paved the way for unprecedented progress in human endeavors, while the rise of AI signals a shift towards a world where human information activities increasingly shape reality. Consequently, novel ethical issues arise, centering on the ethics of shaping this information-based world. Thus, a new ethical framework, termed “information world-making ethics,” has emerged. Within the dimension of information world-making ethics, the integration of rules and laws offers insight into the future trajectory of AI development and human-machine interactions. The fundamental challenge of informaiton world-making ethics lays in the ethics of foundational principles, with integrity, humankind’s collective characteristic, and commonality being paramount. As AI progresses, the practical significance and applicability of information world-making ethics expand, emphasizing its increasing relevance in shaping human future.
This introductory chapter paves the way for a reconciliation of Utopian Studies, philosophy of technology and political philosophy. It introduces the general idea of vindicating technological utopias and engagement with them. The value question is being moved to the fore of the present essay, sidestepping the quest for a definition to unresolved methodological problems. A commonsensical idea of utopia is not a priori flawed; its value still remains unclear. Some paradigmatic technological utopias are introduced.
Este artículo analiza el denominado «urbanismo de plataformas» como un dispositivo posbiopolítico de dominación y subjetivación propio de las «sociedades de rendimiento» del siglo XXI. En tal sentido, se examina cómo las plataformas algorítmicas exponen a la ciudadanía a nuevas relaciones de control y poder a través de dispositivos tecnosociales como la inteligencia artificial (IA). Los autores concluyen con la idea de que el despliegue del urbanismo de plataformas responde a un modelo de «gubernamentalidad algorítmica» que propicia el advenimiento de nuevas prácticas de disidencia basadas en la denominada «innovación abierta».
Günümüzde giderek daha popüler hale gelen açık plan ofisler, fiziksel ortamlarının üretkenlik üzerindeki etkileri nedeni ile tartışma konusu olmaktadır. Açık plan ofislerde fiziksel ortam kullanıcı verimliliğini önemli ölçüde etkileyebilir ve bu etki çeşitli faktörlere bağlı olarak olumlu veya olumsuz olabilir. Ofis ortamında çalışan sayısı arttıkça, ortamın havalandırılmasında oluşabilecek aksaklıklar veya hedeflenen konforun sağlanamaması; kullanıcılar üzerinde hastalık veya memnuniyetsizlik gibi sorunlara neden olabilmektedir. Bu sorunlar işletmeye, iş kaybı veya üretkenlik düşüşü gibi yansımaktadır. Günümüz rekabetçi iş ortamında, işletmelerin iş kaybını önleme, verimi arttırma konusunda çalışanına sağlıklı ve konforlu ortam sunma yaklaşımı gayrimenkul tercihini etkilemektedir. Çalışmanın amacı bu doğrultuda; açık plan ofislerde fiziksel ortamın üretkenlik üzerindeki etkilerini inceleyerek, ofis yenilemeleri veya yeni inşaatları planlarken kullanıcı memnuniyetini sağlayacak bir karar aracı geliştirilmesi ihtiyacını vurgulamaktır. Literatür, ofislerde fiziksel çevre faktörleri ile verimlilik ilişkisinin bulunduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Çalışma aynı varsayım üzerine; Türkiye’de İç Anadolu Bölgesi’nde yer alan Kayseri şehrinde, kamusal alanda hizmet veren belediye yapıları örnekleminde test edilmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlar; çalışanın ofis ortamında kendini rahat hissettiğinde, çalıştığı kurum tarafından kendisine değer verildiğini ve önemsendiğini hissettiğinde, özellikle konforu kontrol edip kişiselleştirebildiğinde tatmin olduğunu, işine daha çok bağlandığını ve verimliliğinin arttığını göstermektedir.
Blender is a 3D modeling and animation software widely used especially in the field of character and space design. This program, which helps users realize their creative ideas thanks to the harmonious combination of art and technology, allows the creation of virtual reality models, simulation, visual effects, stage lighting, game design and many other digital works. Using the features provided by the Blender software, individuals have the ability to craft unique designs and efficiently employ character animation techniques. In this conrtext, artists can nurture their imaginative and unique concepts, merging them with technical prowess through the utilization of the Blender software. Moreover, they can organize their production methods within the framework of embracing the contemporary artistic landscape in the digital era. This article aims to emphasize that the Blender program creates a space that combines art and technology in the same environment by addressing its relationship with art. While reviewing the art created in the digital environment, the research emphasizes the positive or negative aspects and the dimension of temporal gain, especially on the plastic arts and many other industries. In this research, which is carried out as a case study, it is aimed to experience the potential and competence of the Blender program in the production process of digital drawing applications made by various undergraduate design department students in many industrial fields and artistic disciplines.
Considering the historical process, many commercial enterprises today use the concept of corporate identity to raise awareness. The concept articulates the expression of the armies' identity during the hot war period with pictogram-based and symbolic elements. Corporate identity is now one of the most crucial aspects of reputation management for many businesses, owing to the intensifying competition in the global commercial market. Beyond graphic design, which contains business cards, logos, ads, etc., corporate design now includes the interior design of buildings, which highlights implementing interior design in office spaces by creating a context with corporate identity. Analysing office interior design with corporate identity is the study's goal. The methodology involved the results of student-made interior architecture projects with an office theme from Selçuk University's Faculty of Architecture and Design, Department of Interior Architecture's Project-III course to look at interior architecture projects. The context of the design phases and outputs in process with the corporate identity was established using a case study model. The findings indicate that office interior designs are more qualified when incorporating visual components that accentuate the institution's brand and image value. It is therefore advised that corporate identity be integrated into the office interior design process.
City Information Modelling (CIM) seeks to evolve Building Information Modelling (BIM) into urban planning and design practices that are today dominated by Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The design toolbox in GIS software does not relate to urban design elements (streets, sidewalks, buildings, lots, etc.) or urbanist parameters. Urban designers must use geometric design elements from GIS (lines, polygons, and points) that do not correspond to their practices and threedimensional (3D) understanding of cities. This paper explores the CIM framework thought evolution of the architects’ and the planners’ office, the history, and new trends in digitalisation of urban planning and design from a perspective of urban designer and morphological structure of cities.
This chapter navigates the confluence of immersive design, critical mapping, urban heritage, and socio-environmental justice. It elucidates the potential of these intersecting domains to engender inclusivity, bolster urban resilience, and challenge prevailing power dynamics within urban spaces. Initially, the chapter illuminates the nuances of critical mapping, emphasizing its pivotal role in understanding and advocating for socio-environmental justice within the tapestry of urban heritage. By taking Amsterdam and Houston as primary case studies, the exploration accentuates the power of immersive art and design in forging embodied experiences. These experiences, intrinsically holistic, seamlessly meld the cognitive and affective realms of design-centered embodiment. The showcased city narratives unravel the myriad ways immersive art interventions can stimulate critical reflections on core issues interlinking urban heritage, socio-environmental justice, and the nuances of public space occupation.
A highlight of the chapter is the dissection of an avant-garde project premiered at Venice Biennale 2023, led by authors at Texas Tech University College of Architecture. This initiative probes the intricate socio-political undercurrents sculpting urban commons, with a nuanced lens on the often-overlooked liminal spaces. Adopting an integrative methodology, the project synergizes insights from architectural humanities with cutting-edge robotics, hinting at groundbreaking avenues for co-designing and animating the intersections of urban public and private realms.
Situating itself within the broader discourse of the book on digital interventions in cultural heritage, this chapter carves a distinct narrative niche. It accentuates the transformative potential of immersive art and design in envisaging and actualizing vibrant, inclusive, and adaptive urban transition zones. By interlacing threads of critical mapping and socio-environmental justice, the chapter augments the discourse on urban heritage, offering a profound dive into its manifestations in both North American and European landscapes.
Küreselleşmenin ulus devletlerin sonunu getirmediğinin anlaşılmasının ardından, ağ toplumunda ulus devletlerin, dijital alanda, egemenliklerini yeniden inşa etme ihtiyacı belirmiştir. ABD yönetiminin kendi vatandaşlarını ve sınırlarından binlerce kilometre uzakta yaşayan başka ülkelerin vatandaşlarını kitlesel olarak gözetlediğini ortaya çıkaran Ulusal Güvenlik Ajansı (NSA) skandalı, iletişim ağlarının ve teknolojilerinin küreselleşmesi ya da millîleştirilmesi ve kamulaştırılması tartışmalarını beraberinde getirmiştir. Devletlerin küresel ağ sisteminde geri dönüşü, ulus devletlerin, sadece yasal düzenlemeler ve mevzuatlarla değil, bilgi teknolojisi yaratmadaki rolü açısından da yeni tanımlamalar getirilmesi zorunluluğu doğurmaktadır. Bu yeni ağ toplumu düzeniyle birlikte post-demokrasinin yükselmesinin de güçlü bir ihtimal olarak ortaya çıktığı söylenebilir. Bu çalışmada, post-demokrasilerde, post-demokratik gözetim, millî kimlik, vatandaşlık ve egemenlik ilişkisinin nasıl şekilleneceği sorusunun cevabı aranmaktadır. Crouch, Rancière, Rorty, Wolin, Habermas ve Mouffe tarafından öne sürülen post-demokrasi kavramı açıklanarak, ağ toplumunda post-demokratik gözetim, millî kimlik, vatandaşlık ve egemenlik ilişkisinin dönüşümüne odaklanılmaktadır. Post-demokratik gözetim, millî kimlik, vatandaşlık ve egemenlik ilişkisiyle ilgili bir teorik çerçeve sunularak, literatüre katkıda bulunulmaktadır.
This paper presents an urban approach to modelling and planning the development of cities, with particular focus on Lublin as a case study. Research into models of the spatial structure of a city is crucial to the effectiveness and efficiency of urban planning decisions and policies. The study analysed Lublin to identify the key elements and relationships that make up its urban layout. The scientific objective of the study is a model interpretation of the spatial and functional structure of Lublin. Following Zuziak's example, it was called the urban structure, and it will be analysed as a proposal for a potential tool to facilitate the control of city development. The research used classical methods applied in urban planning and architecture but was inspired at the by the logic of algorithms simplifying road networks and preserving their typological properties. Thus, different types of layers, information and spatial data were translated into an accessible language and were finally presented in the form of an urban design, consisting of urbanity nodes and development corridors. The main conclusion of the research is that an intelligible model (plan/scheme/graph) of the city can become a useful tool for shaping a high-quality urbanised environment that responds quickly to new challenges. Słowa kluczowe: konstrukcja urbanistyczna, rozwój przestrzenny Lublina, narzędzia planistyczne, architektura struktury przestrzennej Keywords: urban design, spatial development of Lublin, planning tools, spatial structure architecture
This chapter explores the complex interplay between Artificial Intelligence (AI), algorithmic enforcement tools and digital forensics in the context of online content moderation. As AI-driven algorithms increasingly perform roles traditionally reserved for human experts, questions of transparency, accountability and due process take centre stage. The allure of automated efficiency often clashes with the imperative for transparency, particularly when algorithms function as opaque ‘black boxes,’ unamenable to public scrutiny or legal review. Instead, algorithmic enforcement tools for online moderation need to meet both technical and legal standards, akin to DNA tools in forensics. These algorithms require transparent decision-making logs and must withstand scrutiny for accuracy and bias. Failure to do so may lead to inability to lawfully implement algorithmic enforcement tools. This chapter critically analyses the rising phenomenon of ‘private ordering,’ where online intermediaries take on roles akin to law enforcement agencies, embedding policy decisions into algorithms and affecting online behaviour beyond mere legal compliance. Shifting the liability to online intermediaries has sparked a new form of private law enforcement but also raises concerns about ‘machine-made justice’, thereby necessitating a careful examination under frameworks such as the European Convention of Human Rights. The chapter also critically evaluates the ethical and legal challenges this presents, including the potential for over-enforcement and the erosion of fundamental human rights like due process, privacy, freedom of speech, and freedom to conduct a business. It interrogates existing and emerging regulatory frameworks such as the Digital Services Act (DSA). The DSA, with its emphasis on algorithmic transparency, accountability, and risk assessment, offers a potential pathway to balance technological advancements with fundamental human rights.
This contribution analyzes the rationale behind the Fab City Project as well as the mobilizations that it has created and grounds it in prior theoretical work and related imaginations of cities in the field of urban anthropology and urban transformation. The main aim is to provide a more consistent and scientifically profound integrative framework to which future research from different disciplines can relate serving as a common ground of what can be understood as a Fab City. The focus is predominantly set on the alternative model of urban functioning that the Fab City project introduces. This model suggests the rethinking and reorganization of production and consumption processes – or the reorganization of flows – in a cosmo-local urban space.
This chapter analyses the terms of action and structures in the virtual space, comparing them with the rules of the real space. The initial separation between real space and cyberspace is artificial yet intentional, with the aim of illustrating space-related opportunities. A view of the new opportunities in connection with digitalised reals spaces, and in particular with virtual spaces, also includes the problem that obtaining digital contents can be realised in society only in an unequal manner. In this context, educational research has identified serious limitations which are identified as digital divides and will be looked at from different angles. Incorporating these findings, it will be examined to what extent digitalisation can withstand the previously highlighted restrictions of capital accumulation and in which areas of daily life it is possible to dissolve the existing spatial and social rules.
The widespread application of artificial intelligence is not the realm of utopias or science fiction any more. It is gradually entering practically all walks of life from science and technology to fine arts. It is most likely that architecture will neither escape this penetration in the near future. Moreover, besides some disturbing consequences, it will also reveal fundamentally new opportunities for the discipline/profession. It is up to us to decide what attitude we adopt towards it, but it is clear that this development should have profound consequences in the education of future architects, too. The paper focuses on the creative core (i.e. design) of architecture. The aims are to assess the changes and to raise awareness to these possible changes.
With subheadings of “The Production of Space”, “Thinking Geographically” and “The Spatiality of Social Life”, the first three sections of Chap. 1 summarize the spatial analytical frameworks of Henri Lefebvre, Doreen Massey and Edward Soja, from which one can conclude that the term “space” has always had a materialist basis in social practices. As we enter the information age, the concept of space is used in an even broader sense, for example, the popularity of words like cyberspace, virtual space and etc., suggesting contemporary discussions of social space must incorporate new non-spatial elements, such as the digital economy. While the digital related topic has created a new opportunity for such discussion, our concerns remain with the community spaces made up of people and the interactive communities creating endless possibilities of life.
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