The present dissertation deals with the establishment of Campus Sundsvall, MidSweden University, and discusses how the architecture visualizes visions and ideas of the participants involved, the city of Sundsvall, the university and the proprietor, Akademiska Hus. The purpose is to investigate the process where the symbolic values are formulated and materialized – the interaction between architecture, language and visual material. The first chapter discusses the American tradition of campus planning and how the idea has been transformed in Sweden to represent an area, often located in the city, gathering one or more buildings used by a university. The second chapter deals with the architectural competition of Campus Sundsvall and analyzes the program, the solutions presented by the participants and eventually how Campus Sundsvall turned out in the late 1990s. The third chapter investigates the sources of the concepts of the architecture and the planning model and discusses why the city of Sundsvall was attracted by these ideas. The planning history of Sundsvall and especially Stenstaden, the city centre of Sundsvall, are central in interpreting the question of identity as a symbolic value. In the last chapter, discussing the campus as a creative space, the present increase of IT supported distance courses questions the importance of the university campus.

La tesi és una nova aportació a l'estudi del territori rural, paisatge que ha rebut menys atencions per part de l'Urbanisme, i que actualment esta experimentant una forta transformació, deguda entre altres coses a una forta activitat edificatòria. Objecte d'aquest treball és l'estudi del territori de l'illa d'Eivissa, un territori "no urbà", construït principalment per !'agricultura. Més que la imatge visible d'un paisatge, el territori rural es considera a partir d'una sèrie d'elements construïts sobre el relleu natural, com a relació entre construcció i naturalesa, com una estructura física composta per lògiques "urbanes" (més geomètriques) i lògiques de construcció de l'espai agrícola, (mes vinculades a la geografia, a la topografia), com una arquitectura construïda al llarg del temps, que ha general uns sistemes continus que han mticulat i donat forma a territoris sencers. Mitjançant l'estudi d'un àrea concreta, la tesi proposa una anàlisi, basada en el dibuix, dels criteris, les formes, les estructures, els traçats i els models d'ordre que han guiat la construcció del territori rural de l'illa d'Eivissa. L'estudi es basa en un treball de camp i en una anàlisi del paisatge rural que comença amb els aixecaments a escala 1:100, 1:500, 1:1.500 de les cases rurals més significatives de les vendes de Morna, Atzaró i Balafi, i arriba per zooms progressius fins a una lectura general del territori de l'illa. Aquest mètode de lectura del territori per ampliacions successives a partir de la casa rural, desplaça l'atenció de la casa com a edifici a la casa com a element de construcció d'un lloc, element que per agregació dóna forma a un territori sencer, demostra el paper de la casa com cèl•lula de construcció del territori i al mateix temps permet una lectura de l'espai rural en la qual desapareix la separació entre les escales de !'arquitectura, del paisatge i del territori. El concepte de territori com a construcció física global desenvolupada al llarg del temps, i la definició d'una manera de llegir i representar l'espai rural, adequada a la descripció i comprensió de les seves característiques formals i de les seves regles constructives, es proposa com a tema central de la tesi. L'anàlisi del teixit rural de l'illa d'Eivissa, l'estudi dels elements que ho composen (habitatges, camins, murs de pedra, cultius, parcel•lari...) i de les relacions que han establert amb els elements geogràfics (relleu, drenatges, vegetació...) no s'ha realitzat tant amb una visió arqueològica, patrimonial, de protegir enfront de destruir; el descobriment, mitjançant el dibuix, de les línies de força del teixit, de les persistències que han construït i articulat el territori rural d'Eivissa i en particular la vall de Labritja al llarg dels anys, ha evidenciat la trama estructural del territori, que estructura i articula el paisatge rural, el caràcter abstracte del qual ho converteix en un element de control formal i de projecte que permet una actitud projectual cap al territori, la seva arquitectura i la seva transformació. Com tots els territoris rurals, el d'Eivissa és un paisatge construït, estructural mitjançant un sistema continu i complex, un model d'escala i d'ordre basat en les tècniques agrícoles, que amb sorprenent naturalitat articula tot el territori insular, l'estudi del qual, acompanyat de la lectura de les transformacions actuals, es proposa com a camp de reflexió sobre l'arquitectura, l'urbanisme i el paisatgisme contemporanis. / La tesis es una nueva aportación al estudio del territorio rural, paisaje que ha recibido menos atenciones por parte del Urbanismo, y que actualmente está experimentando una fuerte transformación, debida entre otras cosas a una fuerte actividad edificatoria. Objeto de este trabajo es el estudio del territorio de la isla de Ibiza, un territorio "no urbano", construido principalmente por la agricultura. Mas que la imagen visible de un paisaje, el territorio rural se considera a partir de una serie de elementos construidos sobre el relieve natural, como relación entre construcción y naturaleza, como una estructura física compuesta por lógicas "urbanas" (más geométricas) y lógicas de construcción del espacio agrícola, (mas vinculadas a la geografía, a la topografía), como una arquitectura construida a lo largo del tiempo, que ha generado unos sistemas continuos que han articulado y dado forma a enteros territorios. Mediante el estudio de un área concreta, la tesis propone un análisis, basado en el dibujo, de los criterios, las formas, las estructuras, los trazados y los modelos de orden que han guiado la construcción del territorio rural de la isla de Ibiza. El estudio se basa en un trabajo de campo y en un análisis del paisaje rural que empieza con los levantamientos a escala 1 :100, 1 :500, 1:1.500 de las casas rurales más significativas de las vendas de Morna, Atzaró y Balafi, y llega por zooms progresivos hasta una lectura general del territorio de la isla. Este método de lectura del territorio por ampliaciones sucesivas a partir de la casa rural, desplaza la atención de la casa como edificio a la casa como elemento de construcción de un lugar, elemento que por agregación da forma a un territorio entero, demuestra el papel de la casa cómo célula de construcción del territorio y al mismo tiempo permite una lectura del espacio rural en la que desaparece la separación entre las escalas de la arquitectura, del paisaje y del territorio. El concepto de territorio como construcción física global desarrollada a lo largo del tiempo, y la definición de una manera de leer y representar el espacio rural, adecuada a la descripción y comprensión de sus características formales y de sus reglas constructivas, se propone como tema central de la tesis. El análisis del tejido rural de la isla de Ibiza, el estudio de los elementos que lo componen (viviendas, caminos, muros de piedra, cultivos, parcelario...) y de las relaciones que han establecido con los elementos geográficos (relieve, drenajes, vegetación...) no se ha realizado tanto con una visión arqueológica, patrimonial, de proteger frente a destruir; el descubrimiento, mediante el dibujo, de las líneas de fuerza del tejido, de las persistencias que han construido y articulado el territorio rural de Ibiza y en particular el valle de Labritja a lo largo de los años, ha evidenciado la trama estructural del territorio, que estructura y articula el paisaje rural, cuyo carácter abstracto lo convierte en un elemento de control formal y de proyecto que permite una actitud proyectual hacia el territorio, su arquitectura y su transformación. Como todos los territorios rurales, el de Ibiza es un paisaje construido, estructurado mediante un sistema continuo y complejo, un modelo de escala y de orden basado en las técnicas agrícolas, que con sorprendente naturalidad articula todo el territorio insular, cuyo estudio, acompañado de la lectura de las transformaciones actuales, se propone como campo de reflexión sobre la arquitectura, el urbanismo y el paisajismo contemporáneos. / This thesis is a new contribution to the study of rural territory, a landscape that has received less attention by Urbanism and is currently undergoing an important transformation, partly due to a strong building activity. Subject of this work is the study of the territory of the island of Ibiza, a "non urban" territory, mainly embossed by agriculture. More than the visible image of a landscape, the rural territory is considered as a number of elements built upon the natural relief, as a relationship between building and nature, as a physical structure composed of "urban" (more geometric) logics, and of agricultural construction logics (more related to geography, topography), as an architecture built over time, which generated continuous systems that have articulated and shaped whole territories. By studying a particular area, the thesis proposes an analysis, based on drawing, of the criteria, forms, structures, tracings and models of order that have guided the construction of rural territory of the island of lbiza. The study is based on a fieldwork and a rural landscape analysis that begins with surveys at l:1 00, 1:500, 1:1500 scales of the most significant rural houses of the area of Moma, Balafi and Atzaró, and arrives by progressive zooms to a general reading of the territory of the island. This method of reading of the territory by successive enlargements from the rural house scale shifts the focus of the house as a building to the house as an element that constructs a place, element that through aggregation shapes an entire territory, demonstrating the role of the rural house as a cell of construction of the territory, and at the same time allows a reading of rural space in which the separation between the scales of architecture, landscape and territory, disappears. The concept of territory as a physical construction developed overtime, and the definition of a way to read and represent rural areas, appropriate to the description and understanding of their formal characteristics and their construction rules, is proposed as a central theme of the thesis. The analysis of the rural structure of the island of Ibiza, the study of the component parts (houses, roads, stone walls, crops, plot ...) and of relationships that they have established with geographic features (relief, drainage, vegetation ...) has not been undertaken so much with an archaeological aim or the wish to protect it against destruction; the discovery, by the drawing, of the lines of force of the tissue, the persistences that have constructed and articulated the rural territory of lbiza and in particular the valley of Labritja over the years, has shown the structure of the territory, which articulates rural landscape, whose abstract nature makes it an element of formal control and project, that allows a projectual attitude towards territory, its architecture and its transformation. Like all rural areas, Ibiza is a man built landscape, structured by a continuous and complex system, a model of scale and order based on agricultural techniques, which articulates with surprising ease all the island landscape, whose study, accompanied by the reading of current transformations, is proposed as a field of reflection on contemporary architecture, urbanism and landscape.

This thesis examines the formal and programmatic expansion of one of the most efficient generic spaces, the international airport hub, by serving the specific needs of an increasingly common mobile citizen, the medical tourist. International airport hubs are comprised of a network of interlinked corridors where large transient populations are received, held and then dispersed again. The medical tourist is a product of the rapidly increasing cost and specialization associated with medical treatment procedures. Recognizing that the density of airport hubs now rivals that of contemporary city centers, this project expands the capacity of the international airport hub, thus enabling the airport to compete for citizens in a manner similar to cities. As one iteration of a potential airport expansion system that could serve multiple mobile citizen types, this project exploits the security requirements of an existing airport and an innovative program to hypothesize a new type of airport terminal.

This thesis investigates the condition of the contemporary suburban landscape and the potential of transit infrastructure in re-establishing the continuity of the fragmented social fabric. It follows the emerging discourse in addressing low density environment as a phenomenon that is becoming the dominant form in our individualistic and consumption-based society. The investigation focuses on Mid-Scarborough, Ontario, as a case study of a suburban ethnic community. Recognizing that high-intensity activity nodes are potential incubators of density and social meaning within the otherwise dispersed and fragmented suburban setting, this thesis proposes to expand an existing intermodal station into a mixed-use complex. Th rough diversifying the function of transit infrastructure with public and commerical programming, the design proposal channels existing intensity towards activating the social potential of interstitial public space. Ultimately, improved interconnectivity and communications between public fragments will foster social integration and the development of regional identity.

The public spaces of many low-income, inner-city neighbourhoods are fundamental in forming strong social networks, nurturing the development of community and supporting the needs of vulnerable residents. This aspect of the urban condition is rooted in the understanding of public space as social space, emphasizing the innumerable differences of individuals and their everyday patterns of inhabitation. This thesis explores Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, a historically marginalized neighbourhood with a strong sense of community that has developed from an accessible and inclusive public life. However, as the neighbourhood undergoes re-development, social polarization threatens the vitality of its public space and the existing sense of acceptance and connection. To mitigate the impact of gentrification on public space, architecture is employed as a tool to support and enhance the area’s inclusive public realm. Applying principles of Everyday Urbanism, it illustrates the social importance of ‘everyday space’, emphasizing the human condition and multidimensional aspects of cities. Three distinct designs propose ‘neighbourhood places’ at strategic locations throughout the Downtown Eastside. Guided by the principles of ‘city design’ and four established design goals, each project demonstrates an attempt to anchor the existing community in place, foster a dialogue between different neighbourhood groups and promote a sense of ownership and belonging. Although this thesis concentrates on the Downtown Eastside, it outlines a set of design principles that can be applied universally, increasing community connections and support throughout our cities.

As distance from a house to retail sites decreases the price of a house should increase, ceteris paribus, because of increased shopping convenience. On the other hand, as distance decreases price should also decrease because the house is exposed to increased spillover of disamenities – noise, light, traffic, etc. – from the retail use. The study uses Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal data and a parcel level Geographic Information system map from King County (Seattle) Washington. An hedonic process is used to estimate the price effects of both the expected positive and negative price effects. Travel distance is a proxy for convenience and Euclidian distance is a proxy for negative spillovers. Standard hedonic housing price variables are used for control along with distance to other classes of non-residential uses and indexes of neighborhood street layout and connectivity. In traditional gridiron neighborhood, both convenience and negative spillovers have the expected effect on housing price. The net effect is a price effect curve with a net decrease in price at very short distances between houses and retail sites. But, beyond a short distance to the extent of convenient walking distance (about ¼ mile) the net effect is positive. In a non-traditional edge city type neighborhood, there is no effect, either positive or negative. This is due to the much greater distances between residential uses and retail uses in this type neighborhood that result from zoning that segregates land uses and long travel distance resulting from curvilinear street layout.

The scholarly interest is the sway singular architectures can have on the collective aesthetic of a generic city: How to exploit this capacity and better orchestrate an impact? The obsession is with Singapore — a city Rem Koolhaas describes as “all foreground and no background,” without geometry, fabric or legible urban form that physically defines the city’s aesthetics. Singapore is necessarily a sum of its architectures, and is still waiting for a greater aesthetic to emerge from its heterogeneous collection. The initiative: to revitalize the former Malayan rail lands, a site spanning the full width of the country. The plan follows Singapore’s recent practice: building distinct, free-style architectures on shifting sands — only this time anchored by a formless, yet permanent and straightforward high-speed axis that induces continuity and reinforces the island’s status as a singular, cohesive entity. Only extreme differentiation, held in tension by the thinnest infrastructural line, can induce a forthright sense of direction in a capitalist city that must necessarily adopt multiple architectural solutions.

This thesis investigates the condition of the contemporary suburban landscape and the potential of transit infrastructure in re-establishing the continuity of the fragmented social fabric. It follows the emerging discourse in addressing low density environment as a phenomenon that is becoming the dominant form in our individualistic and consumption-based society. The investigation focuses on Mid-Scarborough, Ontario, as a case study of a suburban ethnic community. Recognizing that high-intensity activity nodes are potential incubators of density and social meaning within the otherwise dispersed and fragmented suburban setting, this thesis proposes to expand an existing intermodal station into a mixed-use complex. Th rough diversifying the function of transit infrastructure with public and commerical programming, the design proposal channels existing intensity towards activating the social potential of interstitial public space. Ultimately, improved interconnectivity and communications between public fragments will foster social integration and the development of regional identity.

The public spaces of many low-income, inner-city neighbourhoods are fundamental in forming strong social networks, nurturing the development of community and supporting the needs of vulnerable residents. This aspect of the urban condition is rooted in the understanding of public space as social space, emphasizing the innumerable differences of individuals and their everyday patterns of inhabitation. This thesis explores Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, a historically marginalized neighbourhood with a strong sense of community that has developed from an accessible and inclusive public life. However, as the neighbourhood undergoes re-development, social polarization threatens the vitality of its public space and the existing sense of acceptance and connection. To mitigate the impact of gentrification on public space, architecture is employed as a tool to support and enhance the area’s inclusive public realm. Applying principles of Everyday Urbanism, it illustrates the social importance of ‘everyday space’, emphasizing the human condition and multidimensional aspects of cities. Three distinct designs propose ‘neighbourhood places’ at strategic locations throughout the Downtown Eastside. Guided by the principles of ‘city design’ and four established design goals, each project demonstrates an attempt to anchor the existing community in place, foster a dialogue between different neighbourhood groups and promote a sense of ownership and belonging. Although this thesis concentrates on the Downtown Eastside, it outlines a set of design principles that can be applied universally, increasing community connections and support throughout our cities.

It was the best of cities, it was the worst of cities, it was a place of giddying boom, it was a place of economic despair, it was a utopia, it was a dystopic no-topia, it was the world centre of fantasies, and the world centre of nightmares, a town where some struck it rich while others lost themselves in their desires for wealth, in short, the place was so far unlike the present place, that some of the noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only. This thesis is constructed of fragmented stories but not in the classic sense as there is no over-arching narrative, no beginning, middle and end, no synthetic conclusion. Rather this thesis is similar to Los Angeles itself; it is a multi-faceted exploration of competing themes that have birthed a city of fictions, a centre of fantasy, a place that shapes our collective memories, even for those of us who grew up in far-off places. Los Angeles has searched for a down-town core, a collective identity, a dominant narrative and these attempts are explored through different themes – the story of film noir, the development of the Los Angeles Aqueduct, the redevelopment of Bunker Hill, the violence and upheavals of the riots. I have explored how the city has tried to re-brand itself, Through these prisms, and how these attempts have shaped its development and history. It is said that Los Angeles has an architecture of absence, with its superficiality and lack of depth, and as a visual metaphor, this can represent the giddy changes happening in the field of architecture, where hyper-realism trumps facts. This idea of Los Angeles as a mirror should not surprise: it has long been a world centre for myth-making, an epicenter of fiction, cinema, architecture, et cetera, spewing out seductive, grotesquely exaggerated reflections of North America itself.