Between order and chaos. Planning questions from two Mediterranean cities

Within the framework of vast changes in the world’s economic, social, and physical structures, our cities are no longer able to associate with the consequences that these bring about. This inability to cope with the rapidity and degree of change has culminated in the evolution of the basic aspects and structures of most contemporary cities. Urban planners are responsible for finding solutions that can collaborate with such changes while simultaneously managing the rapid urbanization rate that we have witnessed over the past decades. Furthermore, planners must attempt to regulate competition between cities on different levels. The following thesis aims to support the application of chaos as a theoretical urban planning tool to be adopted in the face of these changes. This approach is innovative; as a result, some may be skeptical as to its usefulness. This thesis proves that it is a successful and essential element of city planning, even in its most primitive forms. The research investigates two case studies in order to demonstrate how chaos can be a desirable trait in cities and how it can be utilized to shape our cities’ future. The methodological approach is composed of two main components: 1) the identification and definition of the “chaotic city” and 2) the extraction of the successes and failures of such models based on scholarly work. There is no perfect model in urban planning, as demonstrated by attempts made in the industrial, modern, and post-modern periods. However, the ultimate goal is for this research to begin to probe at a flexible urban planning model that can be applied in the 21st century, without limiting growth and development.