Cultural Cities > Speakers > zerlang

Martin ZERLANG

Abstract:

THE CITY SQUARE IN MODERN CULTURE

Experience, sometimes specified as fun, fear or atmosphere, has become a keyword in the efforts to describe the development of modern urban culture. On handside this can be explained as a consequence of the growing emphasis on the individual, on the other handside the concept of atmosphere accentuates the interplay between the individual and his/her surroundings rather than the identity of the individual. In all circumstances the consideration for the individual and his/her experiences presents a major challenge for modern urban planning. A recent (2007) competition for Israels Plads - one of the major Copenhagen squares - will serve as an example of how this challenge has been answered.

Short CV:

Martin Zerlang (1952), professor in literature and modern culture; has published a number of books and articles on urban matters. I English he has published two collections of essays: Representing London (2001) and - with Gitte Marling - Fun City (2007).