IN-PERSON Barcelona. Section A

Abstract

This proposal is based on a UK Arts and Humanities Research Council project, set in the four cities of Newcastle upon Tyne UK (Europe), Newcastle NSW (Australasia), Pretoria-Tshwane (Africa), and Joao Pessoa Brazil (South America). City centres have developed through a number of eras, and are now moving out of the commercial and retail era, predominantly due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It is therefore, another crucial point in their histories. The investigation focuses on the similarities and differences in the cities. The two Newcastles are currently experiencing privatisation of public space, with great densification. The communities regret the diminishing influence of established culture as represented by their traditional buildings. The situation in South Africa and Brazil is different, as there is a reaction against the dominant culture of occupiers, the Afrikaans and Portuguese. The buildings of these cultures are being left behind and empty. All four cities are experiencing anonymous development funded by global capital. At Pretoria-Tshwane, it is in affluent suburbs and at Joao Pessoa adjacent to the Ocean. Both are in gated communities, which contrary to the term, actually engenders isolation rather than community. However, Joao Pessoa is also experiencing an arts-based counter culture, enabled by available space in the historic centre. People gather in public places and express their traditional culture. In Pretoria-Tshwane, the local population is seeking a post-colonial architecture that encourages community. All four cities need human scale development that is arranged around public places and green spaces. A substantial number of references is available for this work.