Invented Edens: Techno-Cities of the 20th century

This event discusses the 20th century phenomenon of ‘techno-cities’ – cities planned and developed in conjunction with large technological or industrial projects, integrating modern technology into the world of ideal life.

This event discusses the 20th century phenomenon of ‘techno-cities’ – cities planned and developed in conjunction with large technological or industrial projects, integrating modern technology into the world of ideal life. The ‘techno-city’ phenomenon responded to many of the same utopian imperatives as modernism­­ and shared much of the same social agenda, including affordable housing in healthy and liveable cities. However, in response to the perceived problems of technological excess techno-city designs often blended modernist with what could be interpreted as anti-modernist elements.

Techno-cities, like all other cities, are rooted in their times and reflect their historical context. They mirror a society’s understanding of current technologies and their role in shaping lives. They expose, as well, aspirations for the future. Because they were planned in connection with large technological or industrial projects, techno-cities are especially interesting for understanding the complex relations between technology and its social environment in the industrial and post-industrial eras. They embody especially well themes that are present in the early reactions to the urban excesses of the industrial era and that continue to resonate. As such, they can provide useful historical insights into the analysis of contemporary developments in ‘sustainable urban’ and ‘eco-cities’ design and planning.

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