Modern urbanism and the mystification of slums

Despite the recent emergence of renowned and impressive urban design projects within informal settlements worldwide, the enduring growth and resilience of slums present a significant epistemological challenge for spatial disciplines. To address this pressing issue, this seminar will combine theoretical and practical insights into pivotal episodes of international development planning and architecture addressing informality. Through the presentation of case studies and key texts, students will actively participate in structured debates, with each day featuring a themed introduction by the instructor and group reading preparations. The seminar's core focus will revolve around four historical debates concerning urban design's stance on informality within mainstream culture. To facilitate an in-depth understanding of these debates, the instructor will pose questions related to the assigned readings before and during each class lecture, ensuring students are well-prepared for robust discussions.