Ileana Apostol: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2021

NameMs Ileana Apostol
Address
Schmid, Christian (Tit.-Prof.)
ETH Zürich, HIL E 61.2
Stefano-Franscini-Platz 5
8093 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
E-mailapostol@arch.ethz.ch
DepartmentCivil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering
RelationshipLecturer

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
052-0704-00LSociology II Information 2 credits2VC. Schmid, I. Apostol, M. A. Glaser, L. B. Howe, M. Streule Ulloa Nieto
AbstractSociology II introduces current perspectives and methods on urban studies in the first and second part (Monika Streule and Lindsay Blair Howe). The third and fourth parts of the course discuss housing as social and cultural practice, and neighborhood life in the right to the city context (Marie Glaser and Ileana Apostol).
ObjectiveThis series of lectures enables students to comprehend the built environment in its social context. It approaches the architectural profession from two different angles: macro-sociological and micro-sociological.
ContentIn the first part, Sociology II focuses on current perspectives of analysis in urban studies. Theoretical approaches are presented with the help of concrete case studies. First, the postcolonial perspective in urban studies will be introduced, illustrated with examples of empirical research. This part concludes with an introduction into scientific research by presenting different methods in the analysis of urbanization processes in Mexico City, Tokyo and San Francisco (lecturer: Monika Streule). In the second part, transdisciplinary research initiatives and planning processes will be presented using examples from Sub-Saharan and East Africa (lecturer: Lindsay Blair Howe). In the third part, various models of housing are discussed (lecturer: Marie Glaser), and in the fourth part, urbanity and the quality of life in the neighborhood are placed in the right to the city context (lecturer: Ileana Apostol).
Lecture notesNo script - Information available at the following link: http://www.soziologie.arch.ethz.ch/
LiteratureVarious texts, in addition to the lecture will be provided.
052-0724-21LSociology: Extended Urbanization - A Research Seminar Information 2 credits2SC. Schmid, I. Apostol, L. B. Howe
AbstractUrban research is confronted today urbanization processes that unfold far beyond the realm of agglomerations and urban regions. In this research seminar, we will present some of the most recent and cutting-edge research investigations into extended urbanization and discuss some of the most exciting articles in this fascinating new field of urban research.
ObjectiveThe goals of this course are:
a) to better understand contemporary urbanization processes across the planet,
b) to get insights into methods and procedures of urban research in architecture and social sciences,
c) to learn to read and discuss scientific articles.
ContentUrbanization has achieved a planetary reach. Novel patterns of extended urbanization are crystallizing across diverse environments, in agricultural areas, in the space of what may appear to be wilderness, and even in the oceans. They are challenging inherited conceptions of the urban as a bounded zone and a dense settlement type. Process of extended urbanization includes the formation of complex and multi-scalar relationships between centers and peripheries, the blurring and re-articulation of the urban fabric, the production of functionalized logistics spaces, and the progressive operationalization of landscapes around the world. These observations suggest a radical rethinking of inherited concepts and cartographies of the urban, at all spatial scales, encompassing both built and unbuilt spaces.

This elective course is organized as a research seminar. In each lecture, researchers will present and discuss with us their most recent results of their ongoing research in various parts of the globe, such as Delhi, Amazonia (Brazil), the North American corn belt, Malaysia, the West African Corridor, Johannesburg, Arcadia, the Atacama Desert (Chili) and the North Sea. Supplementary, we will read and discuss a selection of scientific articles on these topics.
Lecture notesNo script
LiteratureThe relevant texts will be distributed in the seminar. A very good overview the topic is provided in the following edited volume: Brenner, Neil (ed.): Implosions / Explosions: Towards a Study of Planetary Urbanization. Jovis, Berlin, 2014.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe course will be held in English. Participants must be able to read and speak English.