%0 Journal Article %J Katarxis Nº 3: New Science, New Urbanism, New Architecture? %D 2004 %T The New Modernity — The Architecture of Complexity and The Technology of Life %A Michael W. Mehaffy %X

The “modern” era of the last century and beyond -- the most productive and progressive epoch in human history -- is in an inexorable end-stage crisis.  The last century's unbridled optimism about the rational progress of humanity has given way to a more sober understanding – for some a cynical despair -- about the limitations of human reason, and the insidious imperatives of technology.   At the same time the reductionist science that has propelled the modern era is giving way to another, more advanced kind of science: one reflecting a new understanding of the complex adaptive structure of nature (including human nature) and a recognition of the environmental and cultural damage that the modern era has done.  The “new science” – like the old science that preceded it – carries profound implications for the structure of technological culture and the patterns of life embodied in architecture. But cultural systems, and the architecture and built environment that shape and express them, are lagging behind.  In an environment in which the old century of mechanics is giving way to a new century of biological complexity, it is time to ask deep questions about the implications for the architecture of human culture.  The answers offer a surprisingly hopeful basis for a new and more humane “architecture of our time.”    

%B Katarxis Nº 3: New Science, New Urbanism, New Architecture? %S Katarxis %I Katarxis Publications %C London, UK %V 3 %8 09/2004 %G eng %N 3 %! Katarxis Nº 3