dalia milián bernal

The course of Urban Planning and Design Theory 2 delves into the exciting worlds of theory, urbanization, and where these two concatenate. It focuses on the theoretical perspectives that emerged in the second half of the 20^th century as questions and critiques to Modernist planning and the production of urban space under capitalism, colonialism, and other forms of discriminations. Through lectures, reading circles, discussions, student actions, and case studies, we: 1) examine what theory is, how it is shaped and comes in to being, and what it is for; 2) get acquainted with diverse theories within the fields of urban studies, planning, and design and discuss how they relate to and inform each other; 3) learn to mobilize these theories to analyse a case study. In addition, the course aims to be a platform that facilitates open and active discussion and encourages critical and creative thinking, and invites students to engage in philosophical questions through which to think how to move from critical theories to radical spatial practices (and back) that take seriously the multiple environmental and social challenges of our time.