On the afternoon of November 7, 2015, commenced the third session of the “New Urbanization: Global Experience and China’s Way” panel of the Beijing Forum. John Kaliski, Professor at the Design and Development Graduate Program of UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs; Gareth Doherty, Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture and Senior Research Associate at Harvard University; Stephen Ervin, Assistant Dean for Information Technology at Harvard Design School; and Mark Turpel, former Principal Designer of Portland Oregon, gave talks on the topic of design in global development and urbanization and were then joined by the speakers Robin Visser and John Logan for a panel discussion.
Professor John Kaliski began with the topic of “New Definitions for Intentional Communities and the Search for Urban Authenticity: A Noted Trend in the U.S. West Coast Urban Design”, where he discussed the emergence of “intentional communities” that utilized the concept of urban equity as a foundation for development objective formation. Professor Kaliski introduced the collaborative design and planning process behind his Santa Monica Memorial Park Neighborhood project, which emphasized expression of self and utilized alternative development methods such as the linkage of new development measures with community benefit provisions.
Next, Professor Gareth Doherty presented the topic of “Designing Anthropology”, and discussed experiences from anthropological fieldwork that could complement the design and development process of urban communities. Professor Doherty introduced his 3-year fieldwork experience in Exuma, an archipelago in the Bahamas, where his team researched social ecology by creating sensory exhibitions to engage community action on city development.
Professor Stephen Ervin of the Harvard Graduate School of Design spoke on the topic of “Ensuring Urban Quality: Systems, Synthesis, and Citizens”, where he discussed issues of systemic sustainability, multi-systemic networks, and urban organization and their role in China’s future development. Professor Ervin introduced collaborative design projects between the Harvard Graduate School of Design and Peking University, and expressed his belief that China had great potential to develop into a truly synthetic and connected multi-layered city.
Lastly, Professor Mark Turpel gave a talk on “The Shaping of Urban Policy and Development in Portland, Oregon USA”. Professor Turpel introduced the history of Portland’s development laws, and the advocacy groups emerging in the 1970’s that changed the model of Portland’s urban policy-making process. Professor Turpel concluded with his belief that China would make extremely good progress and had a positive outlook on making large improvements on the quality of Chinese citizens life.
At the end of the session, the speakers were joined by Professors Robin Visser and John Logan to engage in a panel discussion. After receiving several questions from the audience, the session concluded with a final quote of wisdom from each of the panel members.
Written By: Mary Ma
Edited By: Wei Yuchen
