Σχεδιαστικός παλιμπαιδισμός ή ‘παιδοκεντρική’ αρχιτεκτονική: η οικειοποίηση του αστικού περιβάλλοντος και η πόλη ως παίγνιον

Abstract

The etymological roots of the term polis hint at the notion of urban design as game. The ancient Greek phrase translates indeed as playing cities, documented as referring to some unknown game. We thus inherit primordial connotations of play as integral to the conception of city; as essential in conceptualizing urban entities at large.
Extending this lineage, our current discourse on the urban may be re-cast as a rather absurd iteration of a conventional board game. As a prelude to any urban design endeavor, the architect’s thinking on the city may be tentatively conveyed as a ceaseless re-genesis of self-initiated games that conceptually arrogate the city to the self. Here, nodal arguments derive from non-architectural texts; from literary or psychoanalytic sources. In these latently architectural narratives and as an expression of some internal need – or even of psychotherapeutic urgency – the city is presented as belonging to the self, as annexed to the psyche, revealing games of self-assurance; tentative scenarios for catharsis. In a bilateral act, the persona is reflected upon the city and vice versa. The self is thus occupied by the city, then, in return, occupies the city, becomes the founder, representative, usurper and spirit of the city. Architectural praxis solely flows along.