Course detail

Problems of Inner Cities

FA-DU6Acad. year: 2025/2026

The subject analyses the role and the significance of urban centre in the framework of the urban organism. The development of functional and spatial changes of urban centres in historical periods, and the views on their concepts and solutions, are documented in detail. Emphasis is put on the specific role of the urban core in relation to the central zone and its spatial delimitation, and on the necessity of the core's gradual regeneration. In concrete examples is analysed the present development of the urban centre, its prospective role in the urban organism and the proposed changes of its functional and spatial organisation.

Language of instruction

Czech

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Ing. arch. Maxmilian Wittmann, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Urban Design (UU)

Entry knowledge

Indispensable is the knowledge of the history of architecture, urban design and land planning. Important is a general overview (philosophy, history, politics, social spects).

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

The examination consists of the defence of the seminar paper.
Concept of the seminar work and the final paper.

Aims

The subject's objective is to orientate the students in the problems of urban centres and their significance in the urban organism. On the development of functional and spatial changes of the urban centres are analysed the possibilities and the prospective role of urban centres in the urban organism, including proposals of changes.
By completing the study of the subject, the students gain an overview of the centre's role and its significance in the contemporary city. The students study the functional, operational and spatial changes of the centres. Each city center is an individaul phenomenon, it manifests global and individual problems. These problems are analyzed by the students during the lectures/seminars. The students describe the problems of the chosen city center in the final seminary work . The subject evaluation is based on the defence of the seminary work.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Not applicable.

Recommended reading

Burdett Ricky, Sudjic Deyan: The Endless City. Phaidon Press, 2010. (EN)
Eisinger, Angelus: Building Zurich: conceptual urbanism. Basel Birkhäuser, 2007 (EN)
English Partnership/The Housing Corporation: Urban Design Compendium. London 2004 (EN)
English Partnership/The Housing Corporation: Urban Design Compendium 2. London 2006 (EN)
Geddes, Patrick: Cities in Evolution. Harper & Row, 1968. (EN)
Gehl, J: Města pro lidi, Nadace partnerství, 2011 (CS)
Gehl, J.: Život mezi budovami, Nadace Partnerství, 2000 (CS)
Journal of Urban Regeneration & Renewal. Henry Stewart Publication (EN)
Journal of Urbanism. International Research on Placemaking and Urban Sustainability (EN)
Kottas, Dimitris: Urban Spaces: squares and plazas. Barcelona, Lins, 2007. (EN)
Krier, L.: Architektura, volba nebo osud, Academia 2001 (CS)
Kumpošt, J.: Brněnské centrum. ÚHA města Brna, 1978 (CS)
Lynch, K.: The Image of The City; Obraz města, BOVA, POLYGON, Praha 2004 (CS)
Philipp Oswalt: Shrinking Cities – Interventions, Hatje Cantz, 2005 (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme ARCHURB Doctoral

    specialization URBAN , 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    specialization ARCH , 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

  • Programme ARCHURB Doctoral

    specialization URBAN , 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    specialization ARCH , 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

13 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. arch. Maxmilian Wittmann, Ph.D.

Syllabus

1. The center's significance in the urban organism (functional, operational, emotiona)
2. The urban centre's transformation in history (Antiquity, Middle Ages, Modern Age)
3. The urban centre's transformation in history (absolutism, 19th and 20th centuries)
4. Seminar I - Changes of centre as urban part
5. Development of views on the centre's function, concept and solution
6. Definition of the central zone - its relation to the historic core
7. Regeneration of historic urban cores
8. Seminar II - Present state of urban centres - evaluation
9. Functional and organisational arrangement of urban centres - potential development
10. Spatial arrangement of urban centres, scenario of pedestrian movement
11. Benefits and problems of pedestrian zones
12. Seminar III - Urban centres' potential development
13. Recent and prospective trends in solving urban centres

Guided consultation

2 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. arch. Maxmilian Wittmann, Ph.D.

Seminar

13 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. arch. Maxmilian Wittmann, Ph.D.