Cities
Cities as complex systems
Systems
System (Mathematics) = The scope of a system is defined by its
boundary; this means choosing which entities are inside the system and
which are outside, i.e. part of the environment. -> In cities that is not
always easy to disentangle. A city doesn’t always have clear borders.
The systems themselves interact and together become a complex
system. Systems are items, doctrines (=wetten) and principles that
interact with themselves (and outside systems -> complex). You cannot
change one system without changing everything.
Complexity of a city:
- Cities are about humans and their intricate social system.
o Psychological = personal
o Interpersonal
o Cultural
o Legal & governmental
- Cities are complex systems
Singapore
Primate city = City that takes all the attention of a country (Singapore,
Paris).
Singapore became more self-sufficient (independent value):
- Need to attract business
- Need people to live there -> Clean etc.
- Need food, power etc.
Singapore case study:
- Subsystem health: No still water pools for insects.
- Subsystem water: Capturing rainwater and reusing water.
- Subsystem housing & industry: Singaporeans lease a home (cheap).
- Subsystem mobility: Mostly public transportation.
Citizens & values, people & behavior
Values
,Values: Health, accessibility, money, happiness, independence, etc.
Values shape cities. -> Apartheid in South Africa.
Historic buildings show the values of that time period.
Value types:
1. Hedonic value (pleasure)
2. Egoistic (money, ego)
3. Altruistic value (welfare of others)
4. Biospheric value (nature)
Utility
To give a generalized measure of each value, and how well it performs, we
calculate utilities. Utilities follow from values. Values differ per person or
group. Values differ within a group.
Cities aim to create a utility balance between individuals and society
(common good). -> Political philosophy (links en rechts).
Utility types:
1. Strong values = Measurable values (amount of bike lanes)
2. Wishful values = Behavior doesn’t show values (Shell)
3. Weak values = Abstract (hard to sell)
4. Hidden values = Values that are secret (money or ego)
5. Neglected values = Old values (religion)
People
Subsets of people:
1. Individual people (most important) -> Environmental psychology
2. Groups of people -> Sociology (Change in a group)
3. Businesses
4. Societies -> Culture
5. Governments
Behavior
Behavior types:
1. Automated behavior = reflexes etc.
2. Conscious behavior = required thought (rare)
3. Habitual behavior = Unconscious (habit)
, Cities throughout history
Before industrialization
Origin of cities
We slowly see the values shift from
religion, agriculture and trading to
defense and wealth.
Romans placed fortresses near their big
cities to protect them.
Middle ages: Cities grew, so walls were
expended. Water was placed around the
walls to keep intruders out.
After canons were invented further and
pointy outside walls were build -> You can hit
them, they can’t hit the center. (Frankfurt)
Cities reflect our weight of the value defense.
During industrialization we realized modern
weapons were too strong for outside walls. -
> Demolish them to free up extra space.
Value defense is turned into accessibility.
(Paris)
Urban development worldwide
Different values lead to urban development
throughout history.
<- Aztec was build through the value religion.
Beijing was build through the value power (gates).
Sydney was a colony of North America used for criminals, unwanted
people were send to the colony.
Colonies could be seen as big new land full of opportunities (the American
dream). This caused very planned cities, showing the grid structure.
Cities as complex systems
Systems
System (Mathematics) = The scope of a system is defined by its
boundary; this means choosing which entities are inside the system and
which are outside, i.e. part of the environment. -> In cities that is not
always easy to disentangle. A city doesn’t always have clear borders.
The systems themselves interact and together become a complex
system. Systems are items, doctrines (=wetten) and principles that
interact with themselves (and outside systems -> complex). You cannot
change one system without changing everything.
Complexity of a city:
- Cities are about humans and their intricate social system.
o Psychological = personal
o Interpersonal
o Cultural
o Legal & governmental
- Cities are complex systems
Singapore
Primate city = City that takes all the attention of a country (Singapore,
Paris).
Singapore became more self-sufficient (independent value):
- Need to attract business
- Need people to live there -> Clean etc.
- Need food, power etc.
Singapore case study:
- Subsystem health: No still water pools for insects.
- Subsystem water: Capturing rainwater and reusing water.
- Subsystem housing & industry: Singaporeans lease a home (cheap).
- Subsystem mobility: Mostly public transportation.
Citizens & values, people & behavior
Values
,Values: Health, accessibility, money, happiness, independence, etc.
Values shape cities. -> Apartheid in South Africa.
Historic buildings show the values of that time period.
Value types:
1. Hedonic value (pleasure)
2. Egoistic (money, ego)
3. Altruistic value (welfare of others)
4. Biospheric value (nature)
Utility
To give a generalized measure of each value, and how well it performs, we
calculate utilities. Utilities follow from values. Values differ per person or
group. Values differ within a group.
Cities aim to create a utility balance between individuals and society
(common good). -> Political philosophy (links en rechts).
Utility types:
1. Strong values = Measurable values (amount of bike lanes)
2. Wishful values = Behavior doesn’t show values (Shell)
3. Weak values = Abstract (hard to sell)
4. Hidden values = Values that are secret (money or ego)
5. Neglected values = Old values (religion)
People
Subsets of people:
1. Individual people (most important) -> Environmental psychology
2. Groups of people -> Sociology (Change in a group)
3. Businesses
4. Societies -> Culture
5. Governments
Behavior
Behavior types:
1. Automated behavior = reflexes etc.
2. Conscious behavior = required thought (rare)
3. Habitual behavior = Unconscious (habit)
, Cities throughout history
Before industrialization
Origin of cities
We slowly see the values shift from
religion, agriculture and trading to
defense and wealth.
Romans placed fortresses near their big
cities to protect them.
Middle ages: Cities grew, so walls were
expended. Water was placed around the
walls to keep intruders out.
After canons were invented further and
pointy outside walls were build -> You can hit
them, they can’t hit the center. (Frankfurt)
Cities reflect our weight of the value defense.
During industrialization we realized modern
weapons were too strong for outside walls. -
> Demolish them to free up extra space.
Value defense is turned into accessibility.
(Paris)
Urban development worldwide
Different values lead to urban development
throughout history.
<- Aztec was build through the value religion.
Beijing was build through the value power (gates).
Sydney was a colony of North America used for criminals, unwanted
people were send to the colony.
Colonies could be seen as big new land full of opportunities (the American
dream). This caused very planned cities, showing the grid structure.
