On the antifragility of cities and of their buildings

Ivan Blečić,Arnaldo Cecchini

doi:10.1186/s40410-016-0059-4

Ivan Blečić, Arnaldo Cecchini

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40410-016-0059-4

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Abstract

We discuss the relevance of the concept of antifragility, introduced by Nassim Taleb, to the theory and practice of urban planning and design. We further contrast the antifragility of cities with that of their “smartness”, suggesting that the former deserves a greater focus in the planning practice. Finally, we explore the potential antifragility of buildings, arguing it to be an important factor of the antifragility of cities in general.

Highlights

We want to present arguments why we hold it useful, for the practitioners and scholars who deal with the difficult practice of planning and urban design, to talk about antifragile city.To do that, we will start by presenting the general concept of antifragility, and talk about the antifragility of cities in particular
When we look at the visual language through which the smart city is represented, it is typically with simplistic, child-like rounded edges and bright colours
Since the point of antifragile planning is about what to do, and a lot about what better not to do, in the book we have identified factors and attitudes which make planning ineffective because they may fragilise the city: 1. Plans based on fragile predictions i.e. requiring accurate predictions obtained with forecast models highly sensitive to its parameters, and themselves fragile

Summary

Introduction

We want to present arguments why we hold it useful, for the practitioners and scholars who deal with the difficult practice of planning and urban design, to talk about antifragile city.To do that, we will start by presenting the general concept of antifragility, and talk about the antifragility of cities in particular. Introduction We want to present arguments why we hold it useful, for the practitioners and scholars who deal with the difficult practice of planning and urban design, to talk about antifragile city.

Results

Conclusion