This thesis is the result of a set of personal concerns about, on the one hand, how the debates about the modes of expression of the neoliberal regime - particularly in the so-called "urban world" (assuming that there is something outside the "urban”, which is a discussion I did not have place for)- develop and, on the other, of a feeling of inadequacy in relation to how the so-called “urban commons” are conceptualized by many of its promoters. My way of dealing with these concerns assumes that a conceptual review of both phenomena is necessary. In that sense, I propose, based on, principally, theorists Pierre Dardot and Christian Laval, that the point of departure for their understanding should be that of considering them as “social principles”. This conceptualisation brings about distinctive consequences both in how we might fight one principle back and how we may foster the spring of the other one. This point of view will present both principles as mutually exclusive, meaning that while one operates, the other cannot. This will lead me to suggest that the "principle of the common" should be taken as the alternative to the "neoliberal principle." Subsequently, and for being able to frame what the transit from one social principle to another consists of, I will draw upon basic conceptions of classical sociology and the Italian operaismo tradition and will try to demonstrate how the possibility of this transit highly depends on collective representational processes which involve the enacting of a praxis. Once the previous has been settled, I will develop upon philosopher Franco Berardi s notion of Poetry -basically, meaning creationfor afterwards hinging upon semiologist Umberto Eco’s theorizations on semiology of architecture. This way, I will try to expand on how certain expressions of makeshift urbanism, as practico-aesthetical experiences, might help bring about the mentioned social processes. Using that experimental theoretical framework -which relies on the concepts of Poetry, Insolvency and Solvency-, I will analyse the ways in which Allm nna Badet, a public sauna built in the former harbour of Gothenburg following makeshift procedures, might have elicited the societal processes needed for the mentioned paradigm shift. Basing myself in -mainly- architectural semiological analysis applied to my observations of the built environment and through semi-structured interviews to the users of the installation, I will try to discuss on how the involvement in that built environment’s spatial practices might have influenced the users’ conceptions and commitment regarding both social principles. I will conclude that makeshift urbanism presents itself as an adequate tool for bringing about transfigurations in the material urban hierarchies as well as for influencing subjects’ valuative schemes in the direction of the common and in detriment of the neoliberal. However, I will conclude as well, that the tool might not be capable for fostering wider and lasting social change by itself, prospect which, I suggest, might change if the tool is used at a denser and spread-out fashion alongside the urban tissue.

In recent years a new planning movement has emerged popularly known as New Urbanism. This movement has come about in response to typical subdivision design and implementation of single-use Euclidian zoning practices that have been associated with sprawling subdivisions and communities zoned for single uses, and which result in little diversity of income, neighborhoods devoid of any unique character that create a sense of placelessness, increased social isolation and dependence on the automobile, and increased consumption of land and other resources. New Urbanism seeks to mitigate these and other problems through the manipulation of the built environment. Among other solutions, typical New Urbanist communities incorporate mixed use centers, emphasize design of streets and public space as well as parks and open space, provide a variety of housing types, and focus on transit-oriented development. However, as is often the case with "new" or different ways of doing things, implementing New Urbanism can be difficult. As such, the purpose of this study is to identify the barriers to successful implementation of key design characteristics of New Urbanist communities. Also of interest as the research developed were the reasons for the success of some communities in being able to implement important design features of New Urbanism. To do this, a typology of spaces associated with New Urbanism and supported by the literature was established. Two communities in Utah's Salt Lake Valley were then structurally evaluated against this typology. Daybreak and Overlake were the two communities selected, both of which were constructed according to New Urbanist principles. This evaluation informed questions used during interviews with key informants from each community. During these interviews key informants provided information on the original vision of each community, discussed differences between that vision and its implementation, identified barriers to implementing the original vision, and also discussed the gaps identified during the structural assessment.

Cette recherche se focalise sur la posture Neutre face au Chaos. Elle émerge d’une volonté de rompre avec une lecture paradigmatique de l’urbanisation et d’un désir de trouver un rapport apaisé avec le Chaos urbain qui nous entoure, un Chaos qui n’est plus la congestion spectaculaire de la Grande Ville mais un Chaos gris : diffus, silencieux, insignifiant. Ce regard que l’on qualifierait de Neutre est proche d’une certaine quiétude de l’esprit que l’on trouve dans le Zen ou le Taoïsme. Comme dans ces philosophies orientales il exprime une déconnexion et un dé-saisissement.Le Neutre est une expérience immédiate du réel qui implique une destitution du sujet, la sortie du rapport duel sujet-objet pour tenter une expérience indistincte de l’événement, sur un mode fusionnel, de réceptivité totale. Mais le Neutre qui nous intéresse dans cette recherche est un Neutre créatif et non pas purement contemplatif, un Neutre susceptible de ‘faire projet’. Ce Neutre, en tant que récepteur du Chaos, cherche à transformer la vitalité chaotique en processus actif. Notre argument principal se porte sur ce potentiel créatif et productif de la posture Neutre, et de sa manière à se saisir du Chaos comme source intarissable.La recherche s’organise selon des principes de fragmentation, transdisciplinarité, assemblage et redondance. Les onze figures qui la composent sont autonomes mais elles ne sont pas de la même nature. En effet, elles s’organisent en trois chapitres distincts, qui correspondent aux trois temps, ou trois mécanismes de la posture Neutre : (1) l’indiscernabilité (ou le Neutre réceptif), (2) le Désengagement (ou le Neutre passif) et (3) l’Énonciation (le Neutre actif). Ainsi, les trois premières figures (le Bruit, le Conflit et le Noeud), qui composent le premier chapitre, se rapportent à la réalité exogène, à ce qui se situe en dehors de nous et qui nous entoure ; les cinq figures qui suivent (l’Indifférence, le Laissez-faire, l’Idiotie, la Retraite et l’Infirmité) se rapportent toutes à l’attitude du sujet lui-même, à sa posture passive vis-à-vis du monde ; alors que les trois dernières figures (le Gris, le Pathos et l’Acceptation Active) se rapportent aux moyens d’expression et à l’accès au langage, c’est-à-dire à l’énonciation du projet.La recherche révèle que la posture Neutre ne constitue pas une méthode mais une démarche. Certes, une démarche n’a pas la même force transformatrice qu’une méthode. Elle est plus difficile à partager et à décrire. Elle est impossible à appliquer de façon constante et continue. Cependant, elle peut s’avérer tout aussi précieuse en tant que pensée du projet. / This research focuses on a Neutral posture towards Chaos. It comes from the will to break with a paradigmatic reading of urbanisation and from a desire to find a pacified relationship with the urban Chaos surrounding us, a Chaos which is no longer the spectacular congestion of the Großstadt, but a grey Chaos : diffuse, silent, insignificant. This view, that we qualify as Neutral is close to a certain quietude of the mind that might be found in Zen or Taoism. Like in these eastern philosophies, it expresses a form of disconnection and divestiture. The Neutral is an immediate experience of the real which implies a destitution of the subject, an exit from the dual relationship of subject-object to attempt an indistinctive experience of the event, in a fusional mode, of total receptiveness. But the Neutral on which we are focused in this research is a creative Neutral and not a purely contemplative one, a Neutral which is likely to become a means of projection. This Neutral as a receptor of Chaos, tries to transform chaotic vitality into an active process. Our main argument focuses on this creative and productive potential of the Neutral posture and on its way of taking hold of Chaos as an inexhaustible source. The research is organised according to the principles of fragmentation, transdisciplinarity, assembly and redundancy. The eleven figures of which it is composed are autonomous and of various natures. Indeed, they are organised in three distinct chapters, which correspond to three different moments, or three mechanisms of the Neutral posture : (1) Indiscernibility  (or the receptive Neutral), (2) Disengagement (or the passive Neutral),(3) Enunciation (the active Neutral). Thus, the three figures (Noise, Conflict, Node)that make up the first chapter, relate to the exogenous reality, to that which is situated outside of us and that which surrounds us ; the five following figures (Indifference, Laissez-faire, Idiocy, Retreat and Infirmity) all relate to the attitude of the subject himself, to his passive posture towards the world ; whereas the three final figures (Grey, Pathos and Active Acceptance) relate to the ways of expression and to access to language, that is to say the enunciation of the project. The research reveals that the Neutral posture does not constitute a method but an approach. Certainly, an approach does not have the transformative force of a method. It is much more difficult to impart and to describe. It is impossible to apply in a way which is continuous and constant. However, it might turn out to be just as precious as a projective thought.

Diploma thesis is focused on urban solutions in landscape and design of exhibition greenhouse. The aim was to create spacious amusement park and winery. Important aspect of work was designing in symbiosys with nature. The project is able to help solve economical problems in region and become interesting landmark in region of Nové Mlýny.

Mixed-use development is a growing trend that is transforming the real estate landscape and is defined as a real estate project with planned integration of some combination of retail, office, residential, hotel, recreation or other functions that are pedestrian-oriented, limit urban sprawl and have architectural expression. Without a tested framework to predict and mitigate risk in a development, it is difficult for investors and property developers to make accurate business decisions. The aim of the research was to explore the risks associated with a prominent mixed-use development and how these risks may be mitigated from a business perspective. From the existing literature, a framework was constructed of elements that would impact on the risk profile of a mixed-use development. Due to the limited amount of available literature, a qualitative and exploratory research design was employed. Due to its prominence and distinctiveness, Melrose Arch in Johannesburg was selected as a case study. A process of triangulation was used between observations, documentation and in-depth, open-ended interviews with the key role players in the development of Melrose Arch. The research indicates that Melrose Arch is riskier than traditional property development. Mixed-use development is an ongoing concern that requires ongoing strategic alignment and general management expertise. Findings from the research contributed to construct a comprehensive framework for risk mitigation in the mixed-use development process. Copyright / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

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