City syntax: unfolding the urban sphere
- Vol.86(8), Aug
- Mumbai Indian Institute of Architects 2021
- 73-75p.
Much like language, a city too has syntax- with rules in place that each citizen or visitor must use to navigate through the space. With parameters that define land use, networks, carrying capacity, built and void type in place that mimic grammar rules aid in understanding the city. Modern cities are perhaps the most complex human intervention which in itself has an expanse of investigation. The vigour of a city includes the stakeholders and their negotiations across the fabric- be it social or physical. Jane Jacobs poetically puts the same thought across in her famous quote, “The point of cities is multiplicity of choice.” Human beings are navigating through the realm using different mediums of engagement be it intelligence, power, technology or nature. The relationship between man and city goes back in time and undoubtedly has grown and flourished. The people’s use and access to the city in all aspects are considered to be their right to the city (Lefebvre, 1968). The essay outlines the city’s involvement with its people while examining in retrospect, various parameters that have influenced the physicality and spatiality of the polis.