Towards A Territorial City

Abstract

The territory is a palimpsest (A. Corboz 1968), a complex unfinished story encoded in morphology and society. By exploring future images and scenarios the project seeks to support social and ecological integration. At a larger scale, the valley section (P. Geddes 1909) and the two network theory (S. Tjallingii 2005) inspire the definition of the valley system as a complex carrying structure for the territorial project. A new system of relations is designed upon the common grounds between Craiova city and its sorrounding natural and rural lands, territories placed within the fragmented land of Jiu River Valley. The project explores the definition of territory through precedent projects and elements that define it: the limit, the core and the main systems in relation to limits and cores. Existing networks and structures are re-used to scaffold (Forgaci, Alexandrescu, Ionescu 2016) a common territory and a new system of relations between Craiova city, natural lands and rural units. The limits and the trajectories to the cores are used to settle the scaffold. The condition of limits is gradually discovered from an administrative, morphological and topological perspective. Limits cummulate drosscapes (Berger 2006) and they are discovered as porous and permeable lands (B. Secchi and P. Viganò). By designing on limits and trajectories to the core, a polycentric model is ecouranged, consolidating local identity as well as exchange. The limits become themselves a scaffold to regenerate the cores. Three principles guide the construction of the scaffolding on site: porosity, permeability and correspondence. The research by design uses a gradient of scales, while the project is finally revealed at three main scales: the valley scale, the image scale and the project scale. This thesis set two main outcomes: to explore common grounds between practice and theories regarding territorial projects and thus by setting this provocation, to provide a grounded design strategy, which would support social and ecological integration.