Theory 1

Code:

2T1-PDA2020

Acronym:

2T1-PDA2020

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Architecture

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Arquitectura (A)
Course/CS Responsible:	Doctoral Program in Architecture

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
PDA	18	PDA 2020 Official	1	-	6	30	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

In the face of the complexity of two phenomena and two processes of conformation and transformation of the city (reflected on the difficulty that we have to characterize and conceptualize what we call today city), one of the main objective objectives of UC is to produce a reflection on the current urban condition; namely trying to understand this condition and the complexity and extension of phenomena, in the light of a long and critical approach that allows us to learn about the diversity and multiplicity of themes and problems that are underlying the urban phenomenon.
It will also be proposed to analyze the multiple forms that the city and the urban enclose in contemporary times, as constructed realities that result from desires, policies, and socio-productive and technical dynamics, and that are materialized through different actors, with intervention and management responsibilities.
In a time caracterized by the generalization of frequently mismatched actions and methodologies of hardly intelligible realities (and which must necessarily be interpreted in the scope of a new urban epistemology) it will be attempted to develop an objective and circumstantial analysis of urban phenomena, seeking to understand the main themes, problems, and challenges that arise in urban planning, urban design, public space design and architecture in the materialization of “new urban construction”
Considering these objectives, it becomes inevitable to understand and analyze paradigm changes in the construction of the city, but also the invariants that throughout the “long time” of the city are characterized by the reiterated interaction between programs, plans, and projects.
Covering diversified disciplinary themes and contexts, this UC also has, as specific objectives, the acquisition of analytical skills and development of critical and open-minded approaches, privileging research processes as forms of production of operational and strategic knowledge that stimulate a personal and innovative reading of the topics and problems identified.

Learning outcomes and competences

Seeking to contribute to the current disciplinary debate in the field of architecture and urbanism, it is intended that the phenomena, structures and systems present in cities and urbanized territories - as corresponding practices and processes of formation and transformation - are critically learned and interpreted by the students.
On the other hand, considering that “Urban planning should inform us of the results of its own experimentation as a non-banal machine capable of mediating the heuristic process of acknowledgment, strategic leading and representation of the state of urban culture in which it operates” ( Bernardo Secchi, U92, September 1988), in search of new designs and methodologies of intervention and construction of the city (adapted to the ways of life and desires of the inhabitants and users of the contemporary city) requires the understanding and foundation of a clear idea of the city , urbanization and territory.
Finally, it is also intended that students deepen, at various scales and in different contexts, the relationships between research and design practice, through the comparative analysis of singular cases where strategies are examined in close relationship with the forms and models of urban structuring and socio-environmental issues that constitute urban space and territorial systems.

Working method

Presencial

Program

The proposed program covers the themes summarized for each class/conference and complementary seminar sessions.
The themes developed in each class/conference and subsequent seminar aim to critically frame and deepen a wide range of questions and problems that arise in the discourse about the current city and territory. The sequence of sessions assumes an alignment that begins with the recognition of the difficulties that arise today in the analysis and interpretation of the urban phenomenon (session 1), and concludes with the questioning regarding new paradigms of analysis of intervention in the city (session 4). There are also planned sessions that consider more specific and operative themes and methodologies from a disciplinary point of view, where the “project” becomes an instrument of dialogue, knowledge and questioning, through which formal models and theories of architectural and urban intervention interact with circumstances and knowledge linked to specific processes.
These themes will be the subject of further development, in a different scope and scale, in the context of the curricular unit Theory 2 (second semester), namely through different critical perspectives that favor the construction of broad fields of knowledge and reflection, capable of supporting investigations to be developed by students.

class/lecture

Several classes will be given covering the themes that establish the curricular unit's program, considering examples related to different contexts and practices, using bibliographic references and selected graphic supports.
The compact format of the course mainly aims at a first framing of the main disciplinary correlations, with a view to orienting the students for subsequent deepening.

Several sessions of a complementary seminar will be organized to the classes, for deepening and debate of the approached questions or others correlated, with the participation of guests who can add complementary or alternative reflection proposals.

Classes and seminars are open spaces for reflection and debate, with the aim of active student participation.

Classes/conference take place between 2:30 pm and 6:30 pm, followed by a seminar period between 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm according to the published calendar and prior notice, with breaks to be decided during the corresponding sessions.

Classes

1.
Rodrigo Coelho (FAUP – CEAU)
04.oct.2024 | friday | 14:30 (WET, UTC+0) | classroom

Presentations and general considerations about the c.u.


2. Álvaro Domingues* (FAUP – CEAU)
18.Oct.2024 | Friday | 2:30 pm (WET, UTC+0) | classroom


3. Ivo Oliveira (EAUM - CEEAUM) 
08.Nov.2023 | friday | 2:30 pm | classroom 

4. Paulo Tormenta Pinto  (ISCTE- Dinâmia)
22.nov.2024 | friday | 2:30 pm | classroom 

 
5. Javier Monclus
13.Dec.2024 | Friday | 2:30 pm | classroom


6. Rodrigo Coelho (FAUP – CEAU)9.feb.20234| friday | 14:30 (WET, UTC+0) | classroom 

Presentation and comparative criticism of the written works developed by the students

Seminar

Several Seminar sessions will be held, according to the PDA calendar, aimed at deepening and debating the themes addressed in the classes or other correlated themes that matter to the interests of the research to be carried out by the doctoral candidates.

It is foreseen the participation of invited individuals in some of the aforementioned Seminar sessions, may add complementary or alternative reflection proposals, which will be confirmed in due course.

Students should participate in the seminar by asking questions and formulating their critical perspectives on the topics covered in class or other topics of interest to them.

Mandatory literature

Brenner, Neil; Implosions/Explosions: Towards a Study of Planetary Urbanization, Jovis Verlag, 1924. ISBN: 978-3-86859-317-4

Teaching methods and learning activities

Classes/Conferences and Seminar

Several classes will be given covering (the bases of) the themes that establish the curricular unit's program, observing examples related to different contexts and concrete practices, using bibliographic references and selected graphic supports.

The compact format of the curricular unit mainly aims at a basic framework of the main disciplinary correlations, with a view to guiding students to further deepening.

Several sessions of a Seminar complementary to the classes will be organized, in the sequence of the same, for deepening and debate of the approached issues or other related ones, with the interaction of invited individuals who can add complementary understandings or alternative aspects of reflection.

Classes and seminars are open spaces for reflection and debate, and the active participation of students is intended.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	10,00
Trabalho escrito	90,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	62,00
Frequência das aulas	30,00
Trabalho escrito	70,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Minimum participation of 75% of classes and seminars.

Obtaining frequency also presupposes the elaboration of a written work with a maximum of 20,000 characters, including spaces, title, abstract, keywords, discussion/development, notes, sources and bibliography, understood as a short essay or the preparation of a scientific article.

The work in question consists in the discussion of the personal critical perspective about notions and correlations that establish research interests to be developed for the elaboration of the doctoral thesis, not being obliged to strictly or directly observe the themes addressed in UC Theory 1 classes.

The inclusion of graphic schemes or images is suggested, if considered relevant to the proposed communication.

It is proposed to submit a proposal for a summary of the written work by December 19, 2023, and delivery of the consolidated document by January 19, 2024. The exercise, in digital format (single pdf file), as well as the corresponding Turnitin report, must be sent by email to all UC professors.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final classification will be the one attributed by evaluation of the written work presented, weighted in function of the participation in the classes.

Class participation - 10%

Written work – 90%

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

In accordance with applicable regulations.

Classification improvement

By delivery of a revised and improved version of the written work, under the terms to be established for that purpose, and in accordance with the applicable regulations.

Observations

In addition to face-to-face attendance in class, notices, the availability of supporting documents and communications with the teacher in charge and other teachers of the curricular unit will be carried out preferably by the institutional email of the students.