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1996
ARCHITECTURE OF THE FUTURE: THE CHALLENGE TO ASIA AND THE WEST
As consciousness
of environment becomes more pronounced due to the effects of global warming
on climate, the idea of architecture itself will change. Asia is experiencing
rapid modernisation without a base in modernity. Only with a strong culture
of modernity, is there a good chance to develop a coherent architectural
design culture and an environmental aesthetic. If the pollution generated
by industrialised nations to date is added to that being contributed by
Asia's modernisation, hope for the environment will be lost.
Given the dominance of the Western discourse in almost every field including
architecture, the terminology used conceals its assumptions. This needs
to be revealed in order to derive a new modernity suited to our times.
The basic assumption of modernity is contained in its premise on individualism
and on conquering nature rather than living in harmony with self and nature.
In the current context of rapid modernisation in Asia, it is especially
important for Asia to rethink all these adopted conceptual categories.
This, it has to do, in order to address deve-lopment and environmental
sustainability adequately.
Asia has the chance and challenge to define a new and comprehensive modernity.
Such a modernity would not lose any critical edge in its discourse but
will engender a personal ethic which includes nature, self and others.
Right now, the Asian situation is characterised by unprecedented urban
growth, aesthetic disorder and environmental degradation.
The old spatial models assumed in the Western lifestyle reflected in Western
planning practice of metropolis and suburbs which still form the basis
of Asian urbanisation and architectural practice needs a thorough review.
The foot-print of cities need to be smaller so that nature and agriculture
has a chance to
re-establish itself in symbiosis with cities and buildings.
The Tropical
City Concept has, since its inception, been enlarged to include the supporting
region in the form of considerations for food supply, water collection
and CO2 absorption. Although compact urban planning would reduce the CO2
produced, the global capacity of CO2 absorption by plankton in the sea
is reducing due to temperature changes of the world's oceans. The main
absorber of CO2 has therefore to be the forests. Protection of forests
is therefore vital for global survival.
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