The physical and cultural dimensions of modern cities change constantly as demographics, economies and social practices shift and evolve. As a result, the urban landscape is endlessly re-imagined, redesigned, and rearranged in an ongoing process of urban development. This class will explore the changing physical landscape of the city as an expression of its socio-economic and political context. We will analyze the city by examining how social attitudes, economic conditions, and cultural perspectives have interacted, often in contradictory ways, to shape the processes of growth and development. Through readings, discussions, lectures, videos, group exercises, project research, and field experiences students will build an understanding of urban cultural landscapes. The class will trace the history of cultural change and social conflict in the Bay Area specifically, as a way to illustrate how cities in general develop as collections of spatial enclaves that are experienced, understood and acted upon differently by various inhabitants and social groups.

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