NCJ Number
56466
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE ROLE OF WEST GERMAN ARCHITECTS IN CREATING MODERN BUILDINGS DESIGNED ACCORDING TO ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS RATHER THAN CITIZENS' NEEDS IS DISCUSSED.
Abstract
AN IMAGINARY REPRESENTATION OF DUESSELDORF IN 2028 SHOWS A CITY WITH PARKS AND GREEN AREAS INSTEAD OF MEDIEVAL FORTIFICATIONS OR HIGH RISES IN THE SUBURBS; SOME TALL BUILDINGS REMAIN IN THE CITY CENTER FOR OFFICE SPACE AND APARTMENTS TO HOUSE CHILDLESS INDIVIDUALS. SPECIAL LIVING GROUPS EXIST FOR JUVENILES WITHOUT PARENTS TO AVOID PROBLEMS CREATED BY GANGS AND REFORM SCHOOLS. IN THE REAL MODERN GERMANY, HIGH JUVENILE DELINQUENCY RATES ARE ATTRIBUTED TO FRUSTRATIONS FROM A LACK OF LEISURE ACTIVITIES AND TO NEW HIGH-RISE JUNGLES WITH LARGE CONCENTRATIONS OF PEOPLE CROWDED TOGETHER. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SOCIALLY SUITABLE CITY PLANNING INCLUDE PROVISION OF AREAS WHERE CHILDREN CAN GROW UP IN ONE-FAMILY HOMES NEAR PARKS, OF AN AGE MIXTURE IN NEIGHBORHOODS, OF SCHOOLS IN WHICH PARENTS HAVE A ROLE, AND OF PRIVATE SPACE FOR YOUNG ADULTS. MODERN SOCIETY TENDS TO DIVIDE THE POPULATION ALONG ECONOMIC LINES. DAILY HUMAN CONTACTS IN HIGH-RISE JUNGLES HAVE BECOME IMPERSONAL; JUVENILES AND TERRORISTS ARE PROMPTED TO DESTROY WHAT IS DESTROYING THEM. ALTHOUGH ARCHITECTS ARE NOT SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ERRORS IN ARCHITECTURE, THEY DO ENJOY THE COMFORTS OF THE EXPENSIVE SUBURBS AND SHOULD BE WILLING TO FIND INEXPENSIVE WAYS OF REBUILDING HOUSES TO SUIT HUMAN NEEDS AS A MEANS OF PROVIDING HOUSING FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED FAMILIES WITH MANY CHILDREN. --IN GERMAN. (KMD)