Monopolis for the Masses
This course seeks to further system-based understanding and reflect critically on industry-based development.
After Oil (Strait of Hormuz Grand Chessboard), 2016. Rania Ghosn, El Hadi Jazairy.
How do economic theory and coeval ideologies shape land use and impact architectural agency? Whether you have an endless growth or scarcity mindset, believe in industry dominance vs. economic equilibrium, or would like to do a maximalist/minimalist run of capitalism, this course seeks to further system-based understanding and reflect critically on industry-based development. Students produce verbal and written arguments, map the complex terrain of architectural and economic conditions, and use the design of board games as projective simulations to influence multiple win/fail states.
Drawing from historical precedents, this course studies the architectural actualization of previously dominant sectors (textiles, steel) and explores current sectors (agriculture, manufacturing, tech) for their roles in the production of space. Particular attention is given to cities characterized by monoculture economies, as they demonstrate pronounced shaping by periods of intense demand and rapid decline.