Urban Design 2005
Ideas and Reflections on
Architectural and Urban Design Education in Europe:
A Follow-up Forum
Hania, Crete Greece 1-3 September 2005
The Steering Committee of the Socrates Thematic Network ENHSA (European Network of Heads of Schools of Architecture), the Thematic Network of the European Association for Architectural Education (EAAE) and the EAAE Council, invite all teachers of Architectural Design and Urban Design, to the workshop "Ideas and Reflections on Architectural and Urban Design Education in Europe: A Follow-up Forum". The workshop will be held in Greece in the magical city of Hania ( http://www.chania.gr ) on the island of Crete from 1-3 of September 2005 and will be hosted by the Centre for Mediterranean Architecture.
A few months ago our Thematic Network published a volume entitled "Monitoring Architectural Design Education in European Schools of Architecture" (ISBN 2-930301-15-5) as well as a volume entitled " Monitoring Urban Design Education in European Schools of Architecture " (ISBN 2-930301-16-3). These volumes present how a large number of courses on architectural and urban design are taught in different schools of architecture in Europe. This material was collected after an invitation sent to the heads of all schools of architecture as members of our ENHSA Network or to EAAE members. This invitation asked heads of schools to encourage teachers of architectural or urban design of their Schools to contribute to this initiative by presenting their teaching ideas, strategies and methods according to the guidelines set. All those involved in this initiative strongly believe that such information about the different teaching paradigms around Europe will facilitate the exchange of ideas and research in architectural design education – something useful to all eager educators. We also hope that these volumes will help us all to discover how other teachers teach architectural or urban design, either in their country or in other European countries, as well as to help us to "map" ourselves among them.
The proposed workshop is a second step towards the creation of a live forum on architectural design education in Europe. We expect this workshop to trigger further discussion between us, already prepared by the volumes, as well as to enrich our experience in teaching these subjects. In bringing together professionals that have similar backgrounds and interests we are trying to create the appropriate milieu for the exchange of views, the establishment of collaborations, as well as to encourage future events and initiatives as a Network of Architectural Design Teachers and as a Network of Urban Design Teachers. Even though the Workshop will constitute one event, the two subjects will be debated upon autonomously and independently in different sessions.
The aim of the workshop is to form a critical overview of the contemporary tendencies and approaches to the education of architectural and urban design. To speculate on ideas, values, aspects, thoughts, methods, strategies, techniques, tools, vehicles, means, objectives, aims and ambitions in teaching architectural and urban design in contemporary Europe. The workshop will be focused on debate rather than on paper presentations. The debate will be open to all. The final outcome of this workshop will be a volume of proceedings that will include the emerging syntheses as well as all the debates transcribed. The volume will be a formal document with ISBN number.
The basis for the debates will be the four axes indicated by the guidelines on which the contributions of the volumes were developed. These axes, which will also shape the four sessions of the meeting, are structured by the following questions:
1. What do we teach in the Architectural or Urban Design course we run? Why do we teach what we teach in our Architectural or Urban Design course?
2. How do we teach the Architectural or Urban Design course for which we are responsible? Why do we choose to teach Architectural or Urban Design in this particular way?
3. What exercise(s) and design themes do we run? Why do we suggest these exercises be taught within the Architectural or Urban Design course?
4. How can we improve the courses we run?
Introductory presentations by invited readers of the volumes and keynote lectures will initiate issues for discussion. Participants of the workshop are also welcome to prepare texts which will be published by the beginning of the year in the new volumes entitled " Monitoring Architectural Design Education in European Schools of Architecture II " and " Monitoring Urban Design Education in European Schools of Architecture II ". These contributions will also be discussed at the workshop, provided that the texts arrive no later than August 20, 2005. In case you are interested in contributing to this publication, please fill in and return the attached " expression interest form " to enhsa-net@arch.auth.gr .
The workshop will be subsidized by ENHSA Thematic Network. As a consequence, your contribution of the overall fees will be 280 € (please see registration form attached) and will cover accommodation for four nights, all meals, as well as the two volumes on Monitoring Architectural /Urban Design Education in European Schools of Architecture' and the proceedings.
For any further queries please do not hesitate to contact enhsa-net@arch.auth.gr or +30 2310 995589.
