UGOD Thrust Seminar | Alexander’s Contribution to a Science of Cities
Supporting the below United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:支持以下聯合國可持續發展目標：支持以下联合国可持续发展目标：
Christopher Alexander, a distinguished architect and design theorist, has had a significant influence on the fields of architecture, urban design, computer science, and sociology. In this seminar, Dr. Michael Mehaffy will evaluate the specific contributions of Alexander to the science of cities. He will examine Alexander's proposed tools and methodologies for the design process, considering both their quantitative and qualitative aspects, as well as their compatibility with emerging tools and strategies in the science of cities. Additionally, the seminar will go beyond the exploration of Alexander's work and discuss the post-Alexandrian research agenda. It will examine the evolving landscape of urban planning, providing insights into emerging theories, methodologies, and approaches that build upon Alexander's legacy. By contemplating these future directions, the seminar aims to inspire participants to envision innovative paths for research and practice in the science of cities.
Michael West Mehaffy, Ph.D., is an urbanist, architectural theorist, urban philosopher, researcher, author, educator, and strategic development consultant with an international practice. He studied philosophy of science at the Graduate School of the University of Texas at Austin, and architecture and urban planning at The University of California, Berkeley, before earning his PhD in architecture at Delft University of Technology. Mehaffy has held teaching and/or research appointments in architecture, urban planning and philosophy at eight graduate institutions in seven countries. In addition to his work as an instructor at Arizona State University since 2011, he is currently Executive Director of the Sustasis Foundation, an urban sustainability think tank in Portland, Oregon; Executive Director of the International Making Cities Livable conference series; and President of Structura Naturalis Inc. He is on the editorial boards of two international journals of urban design, and he is noted for his books, book chapters, research articles and professional articles on Christopher Alexander, Jane Jacobs, urban morphology, urban self-organization, architecture, computer science, and philosophy. He was a consultant to UN-Habitat for the Habitat III conference and its outcome document, The New Urban Agenda, and he has consulted for governments, businesses and NGOs on its implementation and related topics. He has played key roles in the development of leading projects in the USA and internationally, including walkable mixed use, TOD, affordable housing, new zoning codes, and other innovations.