PLN3_Prelims Handouts part 1

Ekistics

The science of human settlements, coined by Constantinos A. Doxiadis, which encompasses various disciplines such as economics, cultural disciplines, social sciences, technical disciplines, and political science & administration.

Human Settlement

A settlement inhabited by humans, which should satisfy the needs of its inhabitants and consist of both natural and man-made elements.

Geographic limits of the earth

The entire geographical area that encompasses human settlements.

Underdeveloped countries

Countries that lack sufficient resources and infrastructure to meet the needs of their inhabitants.

Marginalized people

Individuals or groups who are socially and economically disadvantaged and often excluded from mainstream society.

Displaced people

Individuals who have been forced to leave their homes due to conflict, natural disasters, or other reasons.

Inadequate facilities

Facilities in human settlements that are insufficient to meet the growing needs of the population.

Aesthetic realities

The visual appearance and beauty of human settlements, which can vary greatly.

Venice

A city known for its refusal to grow and its preservation of its historical character.

Monte Carlo, Brunei, Beverly Hills

Examples of settlements inhabited by small groups, mostly of high-income individuals, that have maintained their original character over time.1. Human Settlement:A place where people live and interact with each other.

Chaos

A state of disorder and confusion.

Population

The number of people living in a particular area.

Migration

The movement of people from one place to another.

Urban Settlement

A densely populated area with buildings and infrastructure.

Machines

Mechanical devices that have an impact on human lives.

Socialization

The process of becoming part of a society and adopting its norms and values.

Growth

The increase in size or number over time.

Planning

The process of organizing and arranging resources to achieve a goal.

Content

The essential components or elements of something.

Container

The physical structure or framework that holds something.

Ekistic Elements

The essential elements of human settlements according to Doxiadis.

Society

A group of individuals living together and interacting with each other.

Networks

Systems of transportation, communication, and utilities that connect settlements.

Shells

Buildings and structures that provide protection and serve various purposes.

Nature

The natural environment in which human settlements are located.

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms and their physical environment.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum number of individuals that an environment can sustain.

Displacement

The act of being forced out of one's original place or position.

Neurotic

Having excessive anxiety or emotional instability.

Psychotic

Experiencing a loss of contact with reality.

Cohesion

The state of being united or connected.

Habitat

The natural environment in which a particular species lives.

Alienation

The feeling of being isolated or disconnected from one's surroundings.

Utopia

An imagined perfect or ideal place or society.1. Escapist notion:Man's dissatisfaction with his permanent habitat and desire to escape to a new type of surrounding, often finding greater happiness and comfort in his car rather than his home.

Disintegration

The process of a settlement not developing in accordance with the needs of a community, leading to its breakdown.

Decaying and Abandoned Settlements

Physical shells of settlements that demonstrate continuous disintegration and are left behind by evolution, with their physical wealth (facilities and amenities) disintegrating.

New centers

Created through the transfer of wealth from one area to another, often leading to the loss of vitality in old settlements.

Over congestion

The centers of cities becoming overcrowded and overbuilt, often due to irrational mixing of residence, industry, transportation, and other factors.

Spoiling nature

The negative impact of settlement expansion on the environment, including taking valuable land, altering the countryside with projects like highways and dams, and spoiling the aesthetic quality of an area.

Crisis

The current situation leading towards a disaster, characterized by an unbearable situation within human settlements, dangers created by uncoordinated technological expansion, and the neglect of resource conservation.

Causes of problems in human settlement

The unprecedented increase in population, rapid urbanization, significant increase in average per capita income, unexpected technological progress, and the social and political impact of these factors on human life.1. Innovations:New ideas, inventions, or improvements that bring about change and progress.

Failure to Respond

The inability to adapt and adjust to the rapid rate of change in society.

Population growth

The increase in the number of people living in a particular area.

Economic and social evolution

The development and changes in the economy and society over time.

Urban wealth

The accumulation of resources, wealth, and opportunities in urban areas.

Supply and demand

The relationship between the availability of a product or service and the desire or need for it.

Synthesis

The combination or integration of different elements to create something new.

Slum

A heavily populated urban area characterized by poor housing conditions and inadequate infrastructure.

Human Settlements

Places where people live, including cities, towns, and villages.

Quality of Human Settlements

The overall standard and condition of living in a particular human settlement.

Building code restrictions

Regulations and standards that dictate the design, construction, and safety of buildings.

Density

The number of people or objects in a given area.

Over expansion

The excessive growth and expansion of a city beyond its capacity.

Utopian attempts

Efforts to create an ideal and perfect society or living environment.

Commute

The regular journey made by a person between their home and place of work or study.

Bulldozing

The act of demolishing buildings or communities using heavy machinery.

Compact urban concrete jungles

Highly dense and crowded urban areas with little green space or natural elements.

Planners, architects, and engineers

Professionals involved in the design, development, and construction of cities and buildings.

Unite d'Habitation

A housing project designed by Le Corbusier in Marseilles, France, known for its controversial and imposing architecture.

Lewis Mumford

A prominent urban planner and critic known for his writings on the negative impacts of urbanization.1. Confusion:A state of uncertainty or lack of clarity.

Inevitable

Something that is certain to happen and cannot be avoided.

Transitional

Relating to a period of change or transition.

Ameliorated

Improved or made better.

Coordination

The act of organizing and working together in a synchronized manner.

Human Settlements

The places where people live, including cities, towns, and villages.

Architect

A professional who designs buildings and structures.

Planner

A professional who creates plans and layouts for cities and urban areas.

Engineer

A professional who designs and builds public utilities and structures.

Administrator

A person responsible for managing and solving problems in local government.

Economist

A person who studies and analyzes money matters and economic development.

Social Scientists

Professionals who study human behavior and society.

Community Facilities

Public amenities and services available to a community.

Economists

Professionals who study and analyze economic development.

Engineers

Professionals who design and build structures and infrastructure.

City Officials

Individuals responsible for governing and managing a city.

Mayors

Elected leaders of a city or town.

Traditional Authorities

Established governing bodies or institutions.

Seers

Pioneer thinkers in urban planning from 1880-1945.

Anglo-American Group

Thinkers from England and the United States.

Continental European Group

Thinkers from mainland Europe.

Middle Class

The social group between the upper and lower classes.

Public Housing

Government-owned housing provided for low-income individuals or families.

Ethnic Ghettos

Areas where specific ethnic or cultural groups live in concentrated communities.

Outward Movement

The expansion of cities and urban areas into suburban or rural areas.

Public Transport

Transportation services available to the general public.

Private Car

Personal vehicle owned by an individual.1. Industrialization:The process of developing industries in a country or region.

Urbanization

The process of population growth and the development of cities.

Public transport

Transportation services available for use by the general public, such as buses, trams, and trains.

Middle class

The social class between the upper class and the working class, typically consisting of professionals, managers, and skilled workers.

Working class

The social class consisting of people who work for wages, typically in manual labor jobs.

Slum

A heavily populated urban area characterized by poor living conditions and inadequate infrastructure.

Urban planning

The process of designing and organizing cities and towns to ensure efficient land use and improve quality of life.

Garden City

A planned community that combines the advantages of both urban and rural living, with a focus on green spaces and a healthy environment.

New towns movement

A movement that advocates for the creation of new towns outside of existing cities to alleviate urban problems and promote balanced development.

Decentralization

The process of dispersing power, resources, or functions away from a central authority or location.

Green belt

An area of open land surrounding an urban area, often protected from development to preserve natural habitats and provide recreational space.1. Letchworth:The first garden city started by Ebenezer Howard in Northern Hertfordshire in 1903.

Welwyn Garden City

A garden city started by Ebenezer Howard in 1920.

Sir Frederick Osborn

One of Howard's followers who was a prolific and brilliant writer.

Neighborhood Unit

Howard's idea of dividing towns into wards of 5,000 people each, with local shops, schools, and other services.

Raymond Unwin

An architect and planner who worked on the Hampstead Garden Suburb and influenced the neighborhood unit concept.