The time of the city between nature and artifice

Abstract

Starting from a theoretical framework, the essay explores the use of natural elements in public space design, highlighting the complexity of these components both for their cyclical and temporal characteristics and for their potential as structural elements for urban development within long-lasting temporal frames. The critical reflection focuses on the architectural trends that are characterised by an intensive and undifferentiated use of natural components in the urban project, proposing more sensitive and attentive approaches to environmental pre-existences and to the project’s character of necessity.

Keywords

• Environmental design
• Public space
• Time-nature-artifice