Course detail

Tradition and the New Urbanism

FAST-NGB059Acad. year: 2025/2026

Acquiring orientation in current tendencies of “traditionally” oriented architecture, settlement construction and cultural landscape development. The course deals with the contribution of the traditional concept of urban structure to the 21st century man. It is a critical mirror of a functionalist city. Lectures and seminars are focused on a new conception of tradition, its deciphering and understanding in the contemporary world.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Ing. arch. Tomáš Pavlovský, Ph.D.

Department

Ústav architektury (ARC)

Entry knowledge

The subject draws from the knowledge of history, theory and composition of architecture which was gained during the bachelor’s degree course. An adequate passive knowledge of English or other relevant world languages is expected.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Extent and forms are specified by guarantor’s regulation updated for every academic year.

Aims

Gaining of orientation in contemporary tendencies in traditional architecture, urban planning and the development of the cultural landscape. Production of Czech translations of key programme texts (mainly from English), analysis, critical reflection and evaluation of them in relation to the conditions in the Czech Republic will be carried out as part of the seminar.
The students will achieve the aim of the subject, i.e. gain orientation in the contemporary tendencies of traditionally-oriented architecture, the construction of settlements and development of the cultural landscape. As part of the seminar, they will translate an as-yet-untranslated key programme text into Czech.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Not applicable.

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme NPC-ARS Master's

    specialization ARA , 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    specialization ARP , 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

13 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. arch. Tomáš Pavlovský, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  • 1. Traditional urbanism, cultural landscape and their reflection in the first half of the 20th century - C. Sitte
  • 2. Criticism of modernist urban construction and "great destruction of the landscape" - J. Gehl, J. Jacobs
  • 3. L. Krier, Prince Charles and Poundbury, European Initiatives (Urban Resistance, INTBAU)
  • 4. New urbanism - A. Duany, E. Plater-Zyberk, development in the USA
  • 5. Humanistic and holistic concepts - C. Alexander
  • 6. Fractals and "biophilia" - traditional form, material and technology as a picture of the physical and biological order of the world - N. Salingaros, E. O. Wilson
  • 7. Traditional concept of European city
  • 8. Definition of the city according to historians, architects, engineers - permanent discord
  • 9. Image of the city of the 21st century
  • 10. Futuristic cities across history
  • 11. Tower of Babel - critique of contemporary cities
  • 12. Czech sorela
  • 13. Current trends in urban planning in the Czech Republic

Exercise

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. arch. Tomáš Pavlovský, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  • 1.-2. Assignment of a thematic analytical task, explanation of the work system
  • 3.-4. Urban survey, research
  • 5.-6. Processing of the first group of analyzes according to the current topic of the thesis
  • 7.-8. Processing of the 2nd group of analyzes according to the current topic of the thesis
  • 9.-11. Consultation of work in progress
  • 12.-13. Evaluation of the resulting work