Problem
Stultifying homogeneity of modern cities
Experimental visualization of narrower problems
Other Names:
Unattractive homogenized urban development Nature:
The idea of men as millions of nameless, faceless cogs pervades twentieth century literature; and the nature of modern housing reflects this image: the homogeneous and undifferentiated nature of modern cities tends to preclude variety of life styles and the growth of individual character. Although many life-styles may go to make up a city, and at first the heterogeneous character of this suggests richness, in fact people are often mixed together, irrespective of their life-style and culture. This dampens any significant variety, arrests possibilities for differentiation and encourages conformity. It tends to reduce all life styles to a common denominator. What appears heterogeneous often turns out to be homogeneous and dull. The vast majority of modern housing has the touch of mass-production: adjacent apartments are identical; adjacent houses are often identical; and vast office buildings also throw a uniform character over people's lives. Narrower Problems:
False distinctivenessFalse distinctivenessArtificial separation of home and workplaceMaldistribution of urban shopping facilitiesMonolithic architecture of high-rise buildingsMonolithic architecture of high-rise buildingsUnattractive pedestrian environments in urban areasInaccessibility of city centres to suburban residentsIneffectiveness of individual participation in large communitiesIneffectiveness of individual participation in large communities Aggravates:
Unhealthy citiesUndefined business centreSterile working environmentExcessive population mobilityExcessive use of land by automobilesEnvironmental degradation by road trafficInappropriate accommodations for single peopleInaccessibility of urban parks Values:
Stultifying Subject(s):
Amenities → Urban??Amenities → Towns??
Ekistics → Ekistics ??
Development → Development ??
Design → Design ??
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
F: Fuzzy exceptional problems Date of last update
18.02.1997 – 00:00 CET