Ο ΜΟΝΤΕΡΝΙΣΜΟΣ ΣΤΗΝ ΑΡΧΙΤΕΚΤΟΝΙΚΗ ΚΑΙ ΣΤΗΝ ΠΟΛΕΟΔΟΜΙΑ / ΠΡΟΣΚΛΗΣΗ ΥΠΟΒΟΛΗΣ ΠΡΟΤΑΣΕΩΝ ΣΕ ΔΙΕΘΝΕΣ ΣΥΝΕΔΡΙΟ /MASTERPLANNING THE FUTURE / Call for papers

Modernism in Architecture & Urbanism: China, India & the West

hosted by
Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, nr Shanghai, PR China 215123

on
18-19th October 2012 

One hundred years have passed since Le Corbusier’s Voyage to the Orient.
Although he didn’t venture into the Far East, his influence – and that of
Modernism – is recognizable across the world. This conference looks at
Modernism’s significance to architecture and urbanism from Europe to India. It
will explore its lasting, or fading, influence on China; and China’s influence on it.

Architecture, and indeed the world, has changed massively over the last century,
so this conference will explore what contemporary ideas can be drawn from
different historical periods and different social circumstances.

With the rapidly urbanizing conditions of India and China, what can Modernism
tell us about the global urban condition? Indeed, is there such a thing
as `Modernism` or `the global urban condition`? How has Modernism fared in the
last century? How are future-oriented architectural ideas portrayed today and
what are the connections with the past?

This conference is an international forum within China, bringing together
researchers and experts from across the world.

In this way, the exchange of ideas and experiences will stimulate a better
understanding of modern and vernacular architecture, contemporary and
traditional urbanism; and regionalist and universalist design ideals.

Themes: Papers are welcomed to address a range of topics, which include, but
are not restricted to:

• Modernist design in Europe, India and

China;
• Chandigarh: then and now;
• The role of ideology;
• The concept of masterplanning;
• The Chinese Eco-City;
• Contemporary and Vernacular
Modernism?;
• Ville Radieuse: lessons from 20th to
21st century;
• The role of transport planning: then
and now;
• Influences and Legacy (Western and
Eastern);
• Le Corbusier and the Environment;
• New Towns/ New Cities;
• Urban flows;

• Iconography
• Civic space and sociability;
• The changing face of “the Modern”:
Theory and Practice over the years;
• Visualizing the City: from sketch to film
to the digital image;
• GPS and space syntax;
• Universalism contra localism?;
• Historically, geographically and
culturally specific context;
• Lessons from India/Europe/China;
• Social and development issues of the
Modern city?;
• Preserving or demolishing Modern
icons;
• Urban planning: Bottom up or top-
down?

Austin Williams