Future Cities Conference 2023 | Peter Sloterdijk | The Future of Too Big Cities

Summary

The transcript explores the concept of urbanism through the lens of immunity and impossibility, drawing on philosophical quotes and historical examples. It discusses the city as an immune system, the impact of modernity on the environment, and the challenges of urban life. The speaker reflects on the future of cities, suggesting a need for deglobalization and a reevaluation of our relationship with urban spaces to maintain life quality and face the looming challenges with optimism.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The speaker feels honored to be among eminent thinkers and introduces the concept of transitioning from improbability to impossibility in urbanism.
• 🏙️ Ancient thinker Epicurus' quote about death and cities without walls is used to discuss the inherent vulnerabilities in urban systems.
• 🏠 Aristotle's view on architecture is referenced to highlight the idea that cities should be built as nature would, but nature does not create cities, which are spaces where improbability meets impossibility.
• 🧗‍♂️ Richard Dawkins' concept of evolution as climbing Mount Improbable is discussed, emphasizing the dynamic and ever-changing nature of challenges in urban development.
• 🌲 The modern activity of 'burning the subterranean forest' is seen as a fatal discovery leading to the end of the current urban era.
• 🔑 Key terms from the lecture such as 'immune system', 'impossibility', 'immersion', and 'embedding' are introduced for further exploration.
• 🏛️ Paul Valéry's essay on tragical urbanism and the failure of cities to provide immunity to their inhabitants, particularly during the Black Death in Florence, is highlighted.
• 🎨 The importance of the artificial sublime in modern aesthetics is discussed, drawing parallels between architecture and the total artwork.
• 🛋️ The 20th century saw a shift in focus from collective to individual immersion in living spaces, with interior design becoming a significant industry.
• 🌐 The challenges of big cities, including overpopulation and the deterioration of their immune system qualities, are outlined, suggesting a need for intelligent deglobalization and deurbanization.
• 🔄 The conclusion posits an optimistic view of human capability to address urban challenges, predicting a reduction in the heights of 'Mount Improbable', allowing for continued progress within the big city culture.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the lecture?

The central theme of the lecture is the exploration of the concepts of unprobability and impossibility in the context of urbanism, architecture, and the human condition, particularly focusing on how cities and human constructs address or fail to address challenges such as death, natural growth, and the evolution of societies.

How does the speaker introduce the idea of 'tragic urbanism'?

The speaker introduces 'tragic urbanism' by referencing the ancient thinker Epicurus, who noted that while humans can take preventive actions against many things, death is inevitable. This concept is extended to cities, which, despite being designed as protective entities, ultimately cannot prevent the inevitable, thus embodying a form of tragic urbanism.

What is the significance of the quote by Aristotle regarding architecture?

Aristotle's quote emphasizes the idea that a good architect should build in harmony with nature. The speaker uses this to illustrate the concept that if cities were to grow as nature intended, they would be in perfect harmony with their inhabitants' needs. However, the reality is that cities often become places where the improbable becomes almost impossible, thus failing to meet Aristotle's ideal.

What does Richard Dawkins' concept of evolution contribute to the lecture's theme?

Richard Dawkins' concept of evolution, described as climbing Mount Improbable, adds to the lecture's theme by illustrating the dynamic and ever-changing nature of challenges faced by societies and cities. The speaker uses this metaphor to discuss how cities and human constructs are continually evolving and adapting, but sometimes face insurmountable odds that were once considered merely improbable.

How does the speaker relate the concept of an 'immune system' to cities and human constructs?

The speaker relates the concept of an 'immune system' to cities by suggesting that a well-constructed city should anticipate and protect against potential damages, much like how an immune system prepares the body to fend off infections. However, when cities fail to deliver this protection, they lose their function as a collective immune system for their inhabitants.

What is the significance of the term 'embedding' in the context of the lecture?

The term 'embedding' in the context of the lecture refers to the idea of being fully integrated or immersed within an environment. The speaker discusses how both nature and human-made structures aim to create a sense of embedding, providing a sense of belonging and security. However, when these structures fail to provide this sense of immersion, they contribute to the challenges faced by modern urban societies.

How does the speaker view the future of big cities?

The speaker views the future of big cities as facing significant challenges due to their inability to manage the influx of inhabitants and the subsequent deterioration of their immune system qualities. The speaker suggests that cities will need to rethink their role and find intelligent methods of deglobalization, disembedding, and deurbanization to maintain life quality.

What is the concept of 'deurbanization' as discussed in the lecture?

The concept of 'deurbanization' discussed in the lecture refers to the trend of people moving away from large cities to smaller, commuter cities or rural areas. This is seen as a response to the challenges faced by big cities and a desire for a more balanced lifestyle that still offers the advantages of urban living without the associated disadvantages.

How does the speaker connect the idea of 'burning the subterranean forest' to modernity?

The speaker connects the idea of 'burning the subterranean forest' to modernity by using it as a metaphor for the extensive use of fossil fuels and the resulting environmental impact. This concept is seen as a defining characteristic of modernity, representing a shift from sustainable practices to ones that have long-term, potentially catastrophic consequences.

What role does the speaker believe leadership plays in addressing urban challenges?

The speaker believes that leadership plays a crucial role in addressing urban challenges by setting goals and developing methods to transform seemingly impossible scenarios into more manageable probabilities. Effective leadership is seen as necessary for guiding cities and societies through complex issues and towards sustainable solutions.

How does the speaker use the term 'Mount Improbable' to describe the challenges faced by societies?

The speaker uses the term 'Mount Improbable' to describe the challenges faced by societies as dynamic and ever-changing, yet not entirely insurmountable. The height of this metaphorical mountain represents the level of difficulty or improbability of addressing certain issues. The speaker suggests that with time, effort, and intelligent approaches, these challenges can be made more reachable and manageable.