Chasing the ‘Ghost’ of Entopia: Doxiadis, Ekistics, and Placemaking in Cities

Mark Major; Raya Atour; Deepthi John

doi:10.53910/26531313-E2022821650

Authors

Mark Major Qatar University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3203-8794
Raya Atour Qatar University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3741-0260
Deepthi John University College London Alumni https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9253-6045

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53910/26531313-E2022821650

Keywords:

morphology, space syntax, Placemaking, urbanism, urban studies

Abstract

Constantinos A. Doxiadis was a leading architectural and urban theorist during the 20th century. At the dawn of the Information Age, he renewed the call for a science of human settlements, which he termed ekistics. Current debate inevitably revolves around his legacy in the field. The present article briefly reviews Doxiadis’ thinking about settlements and science. Focusing on the state of ekistics thinking today, our analysis is based on the case study of Metropolitan Athens and the Attica Region in Greece using space syntax. WE explore the inherent potentials and pitfalls of Doxiadis’ conception of ecumenopolis - a type of world city –, arguing that it remains too abstract and impractical of an idea for today’s world. Nonetheless, Doxiadis’ intellectual legacy is profound. We conclude that architects, urban designers, and town planners should continue to develop Doxiadis’ ideas about dynapolis (dynamic city) and entopia (in place) when addressing placemaking in cities for people today and tomorrow.

Author Biographies

Mark Major, Qatar University

Dr. Mark David Major, AICP, CNU-A, is the author of The Syntax of City Space: American Urban Grids. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture and Design at Abu Dhabi University.

Raya Atour, Qatar University

Raya Atour is a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, College of Engineering at Qatar University in Doha, Qatar. She is completing her Thesis in the Master of Urban Planning and Design (MUPD) Program at QU. Raya is the author of “Juxtaposition as a Cornerstone for Approaching Diversity in the Built Environment” in Architectural Research in Finland (v6i1, 2022), published by Aalto University.

Deepthi John, University College London Alumni

Deepthi John is an Architect and Urban Designer with Parsons International (Qatari Diar) in Lusail City, Qatar. She is the principal author or co-author of several papers, including one investigating the impact of the spatial network on mega-event planning in cities such as Athens, Barcelona, Atlanta, and Doha. Deepthi is a graduate of University College London and a former Project Consultant with ARRUS International WLL in Doha.