Project title: Adaptation – Adaptive city | Adaptive architecture

The rapid pace of technological development is outstripping cities’ ability to adapt. This growing gap stems from a lack of architectural tools and urban infrastructures that can quickly and easily accommodate change, leaving cities increasingly inflexible and unable to meet the evolving needs of their residents.

This paper introduces a new approach to urban planning, known as adaptive urbanism, which is founded on the principles of flexibility, adaptability, and resilience. Adaptive urbanism aims to create cities that can evolve in response to residents’ needs and the changing demands of the world.

A key element of adaptive urbanism is the concept of buffers. Buffers are temporary, flexible spaces that can be used for a range of purposes, such as public spaces, transportation, or even housing. These adaptable areas can quickly be reconfigured to meet new demands.

The paper presents a case study of the Egged Bat Galim station area in Haifa, Israel, an example of a city struggling to adjust to its population’s changing needs. The study proposes using buffers to create a more flexible and adaptable urban environment in this area.

The paper concludes by emphasizing the importance of adaptive urbanism for creating cities that can thrive in the 21st century. By embracing flexibility and adaptability, cities can become more resilient and better equipped to meet the needs of their residents.

The central question explored is: How can we prepare cities to handle rapid and unexpected changes driven by technological advancements? This framework for flexible urban updates, centered on the use of buffers, aims to enable cities to smoothly navigate these challenges and stay current in a fast-paced, ever-changing world.