Abstract:

In Euclidian terms, a border is a line dividing elements that meet specific requirements to the ones that do not. However, under the biological perspective the border is inferred as the space where interchanges are intensified and where influences among realities emerge. Thus, while can be interpreted as a limit that isolates and segregates, we like to consider borders as catalysts that multiply interrelations over a permeable and porous field . In the architecture discipline it is possible to identify areas that have been understood as borders: scales, age ranges, professors and students relationship, being particularly relevant the separation set between the architecture project design and urbanism (no matter their interdependence).

Through 3 years of teaching based research in the course of Architecture Design and Urbanism (Projectes i Urbanisme) at the Reus Architecture School (ETSAR) it has been the endeavor to overcome the borders, both disciplinary and methodologically, working under marginal conditions, from the questions stated to the course program and the established working environments. As a teaching tool, it was the decision to work under the conception of a hybrid environment in constant change, able to provide students a holistic outlook to our conception of a multi-faceted urban reality. Workshops were made to empower students’ leadership, autonomy and development driven by cross sectional teaching and collaborative exercises. A methodology that required of the contribution of professionals of social and urban sciences, academics and local technicians, that during the course participated at different work stages providing sharp insights on the topics under discussion, from economy to geography and anthropology.

It has been the objective of the course to recognize the territory and the city like a complex ecosystem of interdependencies between collective wills, private interests, economic developments, political winds, social problems, technological improvements, climate risks and ecological potentials, demands for a cross-scale focus and a cross-sectional study. A city collective construction that believe in society as the engine to transform our living places and the landscapes we dwell in.

This paper aims to sum up the experience of a course in architecture and urbanism that has been working on the limits of the urban disciplines. It is our goal to explain the learning by doing process, results and the techniques with which to operate further from the strictly academic environment for both, students and professors. Moreover, reorganization of the exercises, works and experiences has been synthetized in form of handbook. A document that will be finally shaped as a digital open source tool able to improve cross interaction between students, professors and researchers from disciplines related to the urban environment. A proactive tool to strengthen an integral approach to cities and territories through collaborative development among schools and disciplines. An useful academic source available for similar courses in the close future that here will be introduced.

Keywords:

Holistic approach, discipline borders, inclusive city.