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Mohammad al-Asad,
Reef Qubailat,
Lara Zuriekat,
Zaid Wahbeh,
and
Sama Gaith
Architectural projects premiated by the Aga Khan Award for Architecture that belong to the following categories: Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course will be of interest to: You can use the hashtag #FLqualityofurbanlife to talk about this course on social media.
Topics Covered
Read more
Architectural projects premiated by the Aga Khan Award for Architecture that belong to the following categories: Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course will be of interest to: You can use the hashtag #FLqualityofurbanlife to talk about this course on social media.
Topics Covered
Read more
Architectural projects premiated by the Aga Khan Award for Architecture that belong to the following categories: Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course will be of interest to: You can use the hashtag #FLqualityofurbanlife to talk about this course on social media.
Topics Covered
- Public buildings as urban landmarks.
- Urban infrastructure: Transcending the utilitarian.
- Co-existing with the surrounding natural context.
- Developing public spaces in the city.
- Improving housing conditions for the urban poor.
- Protecting and revitalizing the city’s built heritage.
- Addressing the needs and challenges relating to post-conflict cities.
- Architecture and planning university students.
- Architects and planners.
- Municipal decision makers and staff.
- High school students who wish to continue their studies in architecture and planning.
- The general public.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/fx0qe5/enhancing
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Reviews summary
Insightful urban architecture case studies
Learners say this course offers a fascinating and comprehensive exploration of fifteen award-winning architectural projects from the Aga Khan Award for Architecture. Students widely praise the stunning visuals, insightful case studies, and passionate instructors. It's highlighted for its unique perspective on global urban challenges and the transformative power of design, often inspiring new ways of thinking. While generally highly engaging and accessible, some find the lectures occasionally brief or the course more descriptive than analytical, which may give pause to professionals seeking deep technical insights or skill development. It is widely considered a strong overview for a broad audience interested in urban design.
Instructors are knowledgeable and convey course content with passion.
"The instructors are clearly experts and convey their knowledge with passion."
"The visuals were stunning and the instructors passionate."
"I appreciated the expert interviews within the course."
Provides unique perspectives on global architectural solutions and urban challenges.
"Absolutely fascinating! The case studies from the Aga Khan Award for Architecture provided such rich detail and context."
"The analysis of the award-winning projects was insightful, highlighting innovative approaches to urban challenges."
"It really inspired me to think differently about public spaces."
The course is highly praised for its high-quality videos and captivating visuals.
"The visuals were stunning and the instructors passionate."
"The video quality was superb, and the interviews with the architects and planners added a valuable dimension."
"This course offers a fantastic visual journey through significant architectural projects."
Some learners desired more engaging elements or supplementary materials.
"I wished there was more interaction or discussion opportunities, perhaps some quizzes to test understanding. It felt a bit passive at times."
"I would have loved to see some downloadable resources or case study documents to go along with the videos for deeper study."
"My main suggestion would be to add more interactive elements or perhaps an opportunity for peer review of ideas."
Ideal for general understanding; less for in-depth technical analysis.
"I felt it lacked depth in certain areas. It's great for an introduction, but as someone with prior knowledge, I was hoping for more technical analysis or design principles."
"The course is more descriptive than analytical, which might be fine for a general audience but less so for professionals seeking advanced insights."
"It's good for general knowledge but not for skill development. I expected more analytical rigor."
Activities
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Enhancing the Quality of Urban Life: Fifteen Winning Projects of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.
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Career center
Learners who complete Enhancing the Quality of Urban Life: Fifteen Winning Projects of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/fx0qe5/enhancing
Reading list
We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
This influential work of architectural theory argues that architecture is not simply about form and function but also about complexity, contradiction, and ambiguity.
This classic textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and elements of architecture, covering topics such as form, space, order, and structure.
This Marxist analysis of space argues that space is not a neutral backdrop but a social and political construct that shapes our interactions with the world.
This seminal work of postmodern architecture challenges the modernist orthodoxy, arguing that popular culture and vernacular architecture can be sources of inspiration for contemporary design.
This manifesto for modern architecture argues for the use of new technologies and materials to create a more efficient and functional built environment.
This influential book argues for a more humane and sustainable approach to architecture, based on the principles of pattern language and natural order.
Explores the relationship between architecture and well-being, arguing that buildings can have a significant impact on our happiness.
This classic work of urban planning explores how people perceive and navigate cities, arguing that mental maps are essential for understanding the built environment.
Explores the relationship between architecture and the city, arguing that architecture is not simply a collection of buildings but a complex system that shapes our urban environments.
Argues for a return to traditional urbanism, based on the principles of human scale, walkability, and mixed-use development.
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This collection of essays explores the environmental implications of architecture, arguing for a more sustainable approach to design and construction.
Explores the work of Philip Johnson, one of the most influential architects of the 20th century, and his relationship to landscape and modernity.
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Explores the historical and contemporary relationship between architecture and the sciences, arguing that architecture is not simply a technical discipline but also a scientific one.
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This philosophical exploration of the concept of space argues that space is not simply a physical entity but a fundamental aspect of human experience.
Foundational text in urban studies, critically examining post-war urban planning and its impact on city life. It provides essential background knowledge on how urban environments function and the role of infrastructure within them. While not solely focused on infrastructure, its insights into urban dynamics are crucial for understanding the context in which infrastructure is planned and used. It is widely considered a must-read classic in urban planning and is often referenced in academic settings.
Provides a case study of urban infrastructure and water management in Chennai. It covers a wide range of topics, including the challenges facing urban infrastructure in Chennai and the impacts of urban infrastructure on water management.
Provides a sustainable approach to urban infrastructure and transportation. It covers a wide range of topics, including the planning, design, and construction of sustainable urban infrastructure and transportation systems.
Provides a comparative perspective on urban infrastructure and governance. It covers a wide range of topics, including the different ways in which urban infrastructure is governed and the challenges facing urban infrastructure governance in the 21st century.
Provides a global perspective on the impacts of climate change on urban infrastructure. It covers a wide range of topics, including the risks and vulnerabilities of urban infrastructure to climate change and the adaptation and mitigation strategies that can be implemented to reduce these risks.
Provides a comprehensive overview of urban infrastructure from a global perspective. It covers a wide range of topics, including the history of urban infrastructure, the different types of urban infrastructure, and the challenges facing urban infrastructure in the 21st century.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/fx0qe5/enhancing
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Time
21 hours
Via
FutureLearn
Institutions
Center for the Study of the Built Environment (CSBE)
Aga Khan Trust for Culture
Instructors
Mohammad al-Asad
Reef Qubailat
Lara Zuriekat
Zaid Wahbeh
Sama Gaith
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