Chapter VI Temporal Urban Planning
Transcript of Chapter VI Temporal Urban Planning
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Chapter VI
Building the Dooyeweerdian Framework: Principles and Phases for Sustainable Temporal Urban Planning
In Olinda if you go out with a magnifying glass and hunt carefully, you may find somewhere a point no bigger than the head of a pin which, if you look at it slightly enlarged, reveals within itself the roofs, the antennas, the skylights, the gardens, the pools, the streamers across the streets, the kiosks in the squares, the horse-racing
track. That point does not remain there: a year later you will find it the size of half a lemon, then as large as a mushroom, then a soup plate. And then it becomes a full size city, enclosed within the earlier city: a new city that forces its way ahead in the earlier city and presses it toward the outside . . . the old walls expand bearing the old quarters with them, enlarged, but maintaining their proportions on a broader horizon at the edges of the city . . .
and so, on and on, to the heart of the city, a totally new Olinda which, in its reduced dimensions retains the features and the flow of lymph of the first Olinda and of all the Olindas that have blossomed one from the other;
and within this innermost circle there are already blossoming—though it is hard to discern them—the next Olinda and those that will grow after him.
Calvino, 1997, Invisible Cities
1. Introduction
Hermann Dooyeweerd’s philosophy of the law-idea, whose most concrete expression of
which is the structure of the modal order, provides a very useful means for comprehending
reality. The analysis of the fifteen aspects proposed in the previous chapter was aimed at
defining the temporal relations, which regulate the coherence of the modal structure.
This chapter is an attempt to go further, an introduction to a concrete application of
Dooyeweerd’s theories to a practical framework that could support planners and decision
makers in finding the so-called Archimedean Point.
Dooyeweerd has left an important heritage: his philosophy of the law-idea represents a
different way of understanding the complex reality surrounding human beings.
In order to go deeply into the question of time, which is considered as the cause and the
effect of the evolving reality, this chapter points out some specific concepts in the
Dooyeweerdian philosophy. The aim of this chapter is to define those temporal dynamics
and dimensions in which urban planning is grounded.
The present chapter is structured as follows:
• The second paragraph provides the grounding concepts for building the frame.
The founding relation between time, space, change, and motion is further analyzed
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and elaborated in order to define the steps and phases to carry out the urban
analysis.
• Section three provides an introduction to the framework for the evaluation of
the urban planning and design, which has been proposed by Prof. Lombardi, of the
Polytechnic of Turin, in 1999 when she submitted her PhD thesis at Salford
University. The issues related to the built environment that she provided for each
modal aspect are groundings in the building of the framework for temporal
analysis. In subsection 3.1, a definition of a set of temporal issues related to the
issues of the built environment is provided as well as their temporal dimensions.
This chapter is an attempt to define a method—a framework for temporal analysis within
urban structures. It will not be exhaustive. The aim is to give indications, to show possible
directions that could be object of further work.
2. Building the Frame: Grounding Concepts
Aristotle in the Physics asserted that “It follows that time is some sort of number . . .
time, then, is what is counted, not what we count with.” (cited in Irwin, 1995:130). As
suggested in the previous chapter, the theory of the modal order, developed by
Dooyeweerd, is aimed at providing a description of reality that is grounded in temporal
relations and dynamics between the aspects. The origin of the modal system does reside
in the succession of numbers, of temporal moments. Before and after are the forces
giving dynamics to the entire system. In accordance with Aristotle’s thinking,
Dooyeweerd, in his philosophy of the law-idea, considers time not just as a measure, but
rather as the meaning of reality which is counted in the evolution of its temporal
relations. The temporal dimensions, as defined in the previous chapter, are the results of
the tension between number and space, causing movement and change.
The aim of this thesis is to build a frame for the evaluation of the temporal coherence of
an urban system that is based on Dooyeweerd’s philosophy of time. Such a frame should
be, then, based on the following principles:
a) Time originated from succession of numbers. In the succession of before and
after moments defined by Dooyeweerd resides the origin of the tension between
space and time that defines the temporal meaning of reality. The term
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succession indicates that the flowing of time from before to after moments
(through an after moment that has become before, and so on), defines an
evolution that assumes more and more complex characters through succeeding
modalities. It is a creative evolution, since the temporal dimensions are defined
within the coherent order of the aspects. The flowing or succession of time is
then an important concept, and it requires a necessary investigation within the
frame. The succession of temporal periods will be considered both during the
analysis phase and in the planning phase.
b) The concept of change. The concept of change is connected with the succession
of temporal moments. Change is the result of the continuous flowing of time. It
is the visible measure of time. The concept of change originated from the law
side of the modal order (grounding temporal structure), and it is perceived by
human beings through their own sensitive-logical sphere. Change represents the
evidence of the passage of time, and it represents a connection between the law
side and the entity side of the temporal modal order.
c) The concept of motion. The concept of motion is caused by the force generated
by the tension between succession of temporal moments (before and after) and
space. Through motion in its general sense, the temporal coherence of the
modal system is concretized. As Aristotle asserted, “Motion is a process arising
from the continuous action of a source of motion, or a motor, and a thing
moving” (Feigl and Grover 1962:53). The source of motion, as seen in the
previous chapter, is time itself.
Succession of numbers, change, and motion defines the dynamic temporal character of
the modal order. This dynamic character implies that the frame should be flexible in its
structure. It should be able to consider all originating temporal dimensions and
connections between aspects. In order to satisfy this requirement, all the aspects must be
considered and analyzed. No temporal coherence can be fully analyzed if not through an
investigation of the whole modal order. The frame this thesis proposes is structured on all
the fifteen aspects of the modal order.
The above grounding concepts give origin and meaning to the order of aspects. The
interrelations between these concepts are based on another important concept—temporal
causality, whose meaning resides in the physical aspect, which is one of the five
grounding aspects of the modal order. The concept of temporal causality provides the
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temporal order on which the temporal dimensions within the aspects are based. The
philosopher Leibniz was the first to affirm that time order is reduced to causal order
(Reichenbach 1956/1999), and he introduced the conception of the relativity of space and
time. In Dooyeweerd’s philosophy, the succession of cause and effect, providing the
temporal meaning of the physical aspect, does relate space to time by giving meaning to
movement. The temporal order of the modal structure that is based on the succession of
cause and effect is also manifested in the validity of the analogical moments (anticipatory
and retrocipatory moments). Within the law side of the temporal structure, the succession
of the aspects is not casual. They succeed in a cause-effect order. In fact, the numerical
aspect is at the bottom of the entire system, and it is the cause creating tension with
space. The effect is the necessity for the movement and change of spatial extensiveness
into spatial simultaneity. The same relation of cause and effect can be defined within the
entire modal order.
Another important concept to focus on is that of temporal dimension, which is connected
with the concept of temporal direction. The interrelation between the numerical aspect
and the spatial aspect gives origin to a series of temporal dimensions whose definition has
been provided in the previous chapter. Each temporal dimension indicates the temporal
role that each modality plays within the modal order. The temporal dimensions are
indicators of the elements defining the modal-temporal coherence of the entire modal
system.
Each temporal dimension defines a temporal direction. The analysis of the modal order
that has been provided in the previous chapter has defined the following set of three
temporal directions:
• The direction from T0 to T13. This is a vertical direction, and it is given by the
succession of the aspects. From the bottom (numerical aspect) to the top of the so-
called pyramid of reality, the succeeding temporal dimensions define a linear
evolution of the temporal structure of the modal order. It is the direction of time
creating the coherent temporal structure within the law side.
• The forward and backward temporal direction of the T6 dimension. It provides the
direction of the historical and cultural evolution of the modal order. Past, present,
and future represent the continuous tense and flowing of time. It is the evolution of
the original temporal nucleus giving meaning to all the aspects. The temporal
dimension T6 indicates the evolution of the entire modal order along a horizontal
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temporal line. The central position of the historical aspect with respect to the entire
modal system is an indication of the nuclear role it plays. All modalities before and
after the historical aspect do converge in it.
• The T13 temporal dimension represents the looking forward to the future. It is
contained in the faith aspect that is related to human soul. It encloses all
expectations and needs for the future. Faith is the force giving meaning to human
creatures. The T13 dimension is the temporal force giving meaning to human
action. It is possible to affirm that while T0 represents the origin of the movement
creating evolving dynamics of the modal order, T13 is the last cause creating
future effects. By acting, human beings do intervene in the environment, causing
change. This happens within each modality even if in a different way and with
different consequences. Expectations drive action, and action causes inevitable
change. Within the temporal modal structure, the T13 dimension of the fifteenth
aspect tends to a future configuration of the entire system by intervening in the
previous modalities through a feedback caused by action.
The following figure can help in clarifying the above listed temporal directions:
Figure 1: Temporal directions within the modal order. Source: author’s elaboration.
T0
T13
Feedback on the entire modal system by action
Looking forward to the future
past
present
future T6
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The three temporal directions that have been represented in the above figure provide useful
indications for building the structure of the frame that is defined in the present chapter.
The concepts of temporal dimension and temporal direction are related to that of measure.
Dimensions and directions are general indicators of the consistency of a temporal structure.
They provide terms of description of the state of the art, and they are necessary in
individuating possible future scenarios. To measure the temporal coherence of a system
requires some further considerations.
2.1 Measurement and Evaluation of Time
As introduced in chapter 1 and in chapter 3, the concept of measure of time assumes different
connotations with respect to cultural and historical factors. The oldest method of counting
time was by means of some readily recognizable recurrent phenomenon—for example, the
counting of days in terms of mornings such as we find in Homer, “This morning was my
twelfth since getting back to Ilion” (Homer 1997:405). In this method of time reckoning, it is
not the unit as a whole that is counted, since the unit as such has not been conceived, but a
concrete phenomenon that occurs within that unit. It is the so-called pars pro toto method
(Whitrow, 1989) that is extensively used in chronology. The part or the unit measures the
entire phenomenon. The use of the term dawn by the ancient Egyptians and sunset by the
Babylonians, Jews, and Muslims indicates how the concept of measurement of time is
subjective and related to cultural factors, and it derives from man’s being increasingly time
conscious. It implies that different human societies have different concepts of time and assign
different degrees of significance to the temporal aspects of phenomena. Measurement of time,
as well as the subjective concept of time, should be regarded as a consequence of personal
experience of the surrounding world, the result of a long evolution.
Dooyeweerd does not indicate any measure for time to be applied to the modal order. He
provides a description of the temporal relations between modalities. Modal aspects are spaces
of meaning giving neither questions nor answers, but they represent a valid ground for
analysis.
As exposed in the previous chapters, the connection and interrelation between the law side
and the entity side of cosmic time can be representative of the interrelation of man and his
surrounding environment. In measuring or evaluating time within the temporal modal order,
one should consider objective and subjective factors. The connection of the two basic
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temporal-law structures characterizing the modal order displays itself in the subject-object
relation as well as in the gegenstand relation between the law side and the soul-body act
structure (man-environment). It means that in the pre-theoretical (subject-object relation) as
well as in the theoretical (gegenstand relation) experiences, man and environment interrelate,
exchanging temporal information. With reference to the aim of this chapter—building a
framework to support urban planning that would be based on the Dooyeweerdian philosophy
of the law-idea—the question is what is to be measured? Following Dooyeweerd’s
philosophy, the modal order’s temporal meaning is grounded in the concept of temporal
coherence. The analysis of the fifteen aspects has demonstrated that these aspects form an
organic system whose coherence is due to the mutual temporal relations existing between
them. This temporal coherence is the heart of the modal structure. The answer to the above
question is then the following: A frame that could support sustainable urban planning should
verify the existence of a temporal coherence within a defined urban context and measure it.
What is the meaning of the concept of temporal coherence if applied to an urban context? In
order to answer this question, some further considerations are needed.
The concept of temporal coherence, on which the entire modal order was built, defines a
mutual, unchangeable temporal relation between the aspects within the law side. Temporal
coherence gives harmony to the modal structure by the succession of the so-called analogical
moments. The succession of the aspects is not causal. Aspects are like rings in a chain; the
contact of two succeeding rings provides the transmission of the force in the entire chain. The
modal order is like a chain, the chain of reality where each aspect has a meaning only with
respect to the others. The temporal coherence, as defined by Dooyeweerd, is the force that is
transmitted through the aspects within the entire chain. This force makes the chain strong and
integral. As seen in the previous chapter, within the modal order, the origin of the force
resides in number or more precisely, in the succession of before and after moments.
Urban realities are like chains in tension between past, present, and future. These chains are
composed by the rings called modalities. A dictionary’s definition of the term planning is “the
process of deciding how land in a particular area will be used and designing plans for it”
(AA.VV 2008). By planning, the urban structure is modified, not only in physical, but also in
social terms. If a ring in the chain collapses, the entire chain becomes weak, losing its
integrity. The chain would not react to tension between past, present, and future in the same
way, and something in its configuration would change. How is it possible to test the existence
of the temporal coherence within an urban system and measure it? The verb to measure has
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the following meaning, “If you measure something, you determine the exact size or extent . . .
you decide what value or usefulness it has” (Birmingham, 1987:901). In order to do this, it
would be useful to define what temporal coherence within an urban system means.
The concept of temporal coherence applied to an urban system implies that all the aspects of
the analyzed urban reality are temporally mutually connected. Concretely in the evolution of
the urban structure, evident signs of the harmonic evolution of the pyramid of reality should
come to surface. Urban-temporal coherence means an organic evolution of the urban structure
in all of its aspects with evident signs of relations within the aspects. The analysis can be done
only in temporal-spatial terms as cities are “given only in terms of conversion of time into
space” (Berardi 1995:7). Urban contexts are spatial-temporal structures, as defined by the
modal order developed by Dooyeweerd, within which time is the origin and the evolution of
the structure itself, and space is its shape giving form to all its aspects. This concept defines a
city, as well as a village, as a big box, the case of the chain built upon the aspects that are its
rings. Given that an urban context is grounded on a modal order, the analysis of its temporal
coherence should be based on the mutual interrelations of the aspects, in particular, on the so-
called analogical moments, which define the temporal role of the aspects themselves within
the whole structure. In this phase, the analysis should focus on the interrelations between the
temporal dimensions that have been defined within each aspect.
The definition of the temporal coherence within an urban context provides some important
information on the urban structure itself:
• Its harmonic level is intended as the level of functioning of all modalities.
• The effective role played by each temporal dimension within the modal order of the
context.
• The possible existence of failures within the context.
The harmonic level of the urban structure indicates the existence of mutual interrelations
between the aspects. If an urban structure does evolve in a harmonic way, a perceptible
connection of all the aspects is evident. This harmony is proper for an equilibrate structure. In
thermodynamic terms, an urban structure is an open system based on inputs of low entropy
and output of high entropy (Pulselli and Tiezzi 2008). In order to maintain its equilibrium,
intended as a continuous tension towards levels of complexity that could assure its capability
of reacting to change, it necessarily must interact with the environment. This indissoluble
interdependence indicates that auto-organization and eco-organization are interconnected.
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Urban structures and surrounding natural environment are not separate entities, on the
contrary, they are rings of the same chain.
In the light of the above considerations, it is possible to affirm that one of the parameters
defining coherence within a temporal context is harmony—equilibrium between and among
aspects.
Alfonso Pérez-Esquivel, during the International Conference on Management Resources,
Sustainable Developments, and Ecological Hazards, held in Bariloche, Patagonia, in 2006,
recognized that the equilibrium between man and nature has been broken up. He indicates as
main cause for this separation the increasing acceleration of time speed, in particular the
“different rhythms of technological time, cosmic time and human time . . . .this causes man
being separated from nature” (Ibid., 5).
Sustainable development is a question of time; in particular, it is a question of equilibrium
between time dimensions within the chain of reality.
Because of its temporal-grounding character, the application of the Dooyeweerdian modal
order can be meaningful in the attempt of evaluating the level of temporal equilibrium within
an urban context in terms of coherence. The temporal dimensions that have been defined in
chapter 5 are indicators of the role they play within the temporal system. Quantifying them in
order to pursue practical applications is not an easy work, and it needs some further
considerations.
The interconnected sides of cosmic time (the law side and the entity side) have different
connotations. The law side, as immutable temporal order defining reality, is grounded on
universal laws. The entity side, being related to the subjective awareness of change, cannot be
generalized, as it has a temporally mutable character. The definition of a measure for each
temporal dimension must necessarily take into consideration these aspects.
The measure of the temporal coherence within an urban system must consider that the
required equilibrium within an urban context is not independent from subjective factors.
Urban structures do not evolve separately from citizens’ actions. The law side of the modal
urban structure changes and evolves through time as a consequence of human action.
Anthropical phenomena of the evolution of settlements have irreversibly changed the natural
environment, very often leaving wounds on it, giving origin to cause-effect processes that lead
to a change of the configuration of systems. In order to measure temporal coherence, it is thus
necessary to define all those actions that create feedback on the entire urban system. As
exposed in the previous chapter, action is originated from the subjective search for
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satisfaction. Needs and expectations are the forces for action. Action derives from a
primordial need to be satisfied, that is, the constant human search for harmony. This is but a
subjective harmony, satisfying subjective needs and concretizing subjective expectations
which, very often, are in contrast to the whole order of reality. In the light of this
consideration, it is clear how the concept of harmony can assume a double-sided meaning.
Within the law side, harmony defines the existing temporal coherence within the modal order.
It is a structural harmony, and it indicates that all the rings of the chain are integral. If referred
to the entity side, harmony indicates subjective or collective satisfaction. These two meanings
are but interconnected. As man is part of the modal order (reality), his subjective sphere is
necessarily related to it. Subjective or collective satisfaction (intended as satisfaction of needs,
expectations, related to quality of life) depends on the level of existing harmony within the
temporal order of reality. The interrelation between man-surrounding environment in the light
of Dooyeweerd’s philosophy has been provided in chapter 4 and 5.
The question of measuring time is thus related to the question of subjective-objective
equilibrium. The concept of naive experience, as well as that of theoretical experience, plays
an important role in the definition and understanding of urban-temporal coherence, especially
in terms of man’s action and environmental reaction. Anthropical processes cause change in
the environment. Decision taken, following specific directions, causes responses on the chain
of reality. Perception and awareness of time, important aspects of human life, change with
respect to changing processes in the surrounding environment. Subjective ideas of time are
intellectual constructions resulting from experience and action (Whitrow 1989). The aspect of
language plays an important role in connecting the subjective sphere to the objective
surrounding world. Figure 9 in chapter 5 indicates that the communicative aspect connects the
subjective human sphere to the social context and to the external world. The gradual
acquisition of language increases human’s ability to understand and communicate, enabling
him to grasp temporal relationships and to extend his ability for temporal conceptualization.
By the use of language, subjective awareness of temporal duration related to that of temporal
order (before and after) is shared within a social context. There is a deep correlation between
time, language, and number as “the origin of the concept of number, like the origin of
language, is closely connected with the way in which our minds work in time . . . .our idea of
time is thus closely linked with the fact that our process of thinking consists of a linear
sequence of discrete acts of attention . . . as result time is naturally associated by us with
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counting, which is the simplest of all rhythms . . . the words arithmetic and rhythm come from
two Greek terms which are derived from a common root meaning to flow” (Ibid., 13).
Awareness of time involves also awareness of the difference between past, present, and
future. Horizontal temporal-dimension T6 (see chapter 5) indicates the evolution of the urban
system along the terrestrial temporal line (time as measured by clocks).
Saint Augustine claimed that the human idea of past and future depends on subjective
consciousness of memory and sense of expectation (Ibid.). The question of time measurement
is thus related to that of time awareness and time memory.
The process of measuring time within sustainable development is to be reconnected with the
assumptions on how long a development is expected to be sustainable. The question of
assumed time horizons in urban and environmental planning is at the heart of sustainable
planning.
Local politicians often consider only one-to-five-year timeframe, the period until the next
election. Economists consider a temporal horizon of twenty to thirty years. Citizens want to
be satisfied now. On the other side, natural environment needs a long time to regenerate.
The temporal dimensions that have been defined in the previous chapter could be useful in
measuring time, although they are not exhaustive. The aim is to evaluate, quantitatively or
qualitatively or both, the harmonic level provided by the coherence of the temporal symphony
of reality. Reality is like a melody, a piece of music where all the notes converge in a well-
defined rhythm. It is necessary to recognize it.
3. A Framework for Evaluation in Urban Planning and Design
In 1999, Prof. Patrizia Lombardi, of the Polytechnic of Turin, submitted her PhD thesis at the
University of Salford. The full title of the thesis was “Understanding Sustainability in the
Built Environment: A Framework for Evaluation in Urban Planning and Design.” As she
declared in the first chapter, the main research objective was to find an agreed structure which
could help decision-making processes towards greater sustainability, “An integrating
mechanism or framework which could bring together the diversity of interests necessary to
assess the impact of the built environment and urban design on urban sustainability”
(Lombardi 1999:10). Prof. Lombardi’s research was grounded on the multimodal approach
proposed by Herman Dooyeweerd; in particular, she developed a philosophical framework
structured on the fifteen modalities proposed by the Dutch philosopher, related to the built
environment. In chapter 4, Prof. Lombardi’s thesis takes a cursory look on the fifteen
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modalities and their kernel meanings, with a particular focus on their role within the context
of the built environment, providing a set of sustainability aspects within each modality for the
built environment:
Modalities Issues of the built environment Numerical Population (human), amount of various resources available, number
of species and their population levels, statistical census offices Spatial Layout, shape, building footprint, location, proximity, terrain shape-
flat, mountainous, etc., neighbourhood area, urban area, district area, etc.
Kinematics Infrastructures, roads, motorway, railways, cycling roads, pedestrian streets, car parking, transport and viability, wildlife movement, mobility, accessibility
Physical Energy for human activity, energy for biotic activity, physical environment, structure of ground on which to build, building materials, components, buildings, districts, settlements
Biotic Food shelter, housing, air and air quality, water and water quality, hygiene, green areas, pollution, soil quality, biodiversity, habitat diversity and quality, resilience of ecosystems (ability to recover from imbalances), health and health services, hospitals, gyms
Sensitive Feelings engendered by living there, feeling of well-being, comfort, fitness, noise, security, safety, privacy, provision of peaceful surroundings (e.g., motorway noise that prevents bird song, counselling services, asylums, houses for domestic animals
Analytical Clarity with which issues are aired in the community, letting people clearly know facts and issues, quality of analysis for planning and evaluation, diversity, functional mix, knowledge, tendency to understand rather than react to issues, schools, universities, education services, research
Formative, cultural, historical, technological
Encouraging creativity in the community, creativity when facing problems, heritage, history of the community and area, technology employed, museums, archives, built heritage
Lingual, communicative
Ease of communication in the community, quality of communication (truthfulness, etc.), lingual networking, symbols transferring, information provision, monuments, signs, advertising, the media
Social Social relationship and interaction, recreational places, social climate, cohesion, plurality, competitiveness, collaboration, authority structures, social register, clubs and societies
Economic (frugality, use and care of resources)
Use of land, use of replacement of renewable resources, use of nonrenewable resources, recycling schemes, attitude to finance, efficiency, financial institutions, offices, banks, stock markets, industrial plants
Aesthetic (harmony) Beauty, visual amenity and landscape, architecture and design, architectonic style, decoration, social harmony, ecological harmony and balance, art galleries, theatres
Juridical (what is due)
Laws and law-making, especially with regard to property, ownership, regulation, and other policy instruments; contracts,
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especially for building, rights, responsibilities, inequities, property market interests, democracy, participation, tribunals, administrative offices, legal institutions, political structures
Ethical General demeanour of people towards each other, goodwill, neighbourliness, solidarity, sharing, equity, health of the family, voluntary centres
Creedal, pistic Loyalty to the community, general level of morale, shared vision of what we are (e.g., I shop therefore I am, I am responsible to God), aspirations (e.g., to car ownership), shared vision of the way to go (e.g., science- technology-economics will solve our problems), religious institutions, churches, synagogues
Table 1: Examples of sustainability aspects within each modality for the built environment Source: Data from Lombardi, 1999, 109
The above list of sustainable issues, related to the built environment, includes both concrete
objects and human and cultural modes of being. All these issues are experienced in everyday
life, both in a pre-theoretical and in a theoretical scientific level of experience. A soul-body
act structure (human being) experiences them both on a single modal sphere and as related to
the whole temporal system. The role played by each of the above-listed issues should then be
analyzed with regard to the whole coherent temporal structure. The above-proposed list is
shared by this research. Although it is not exhaustive, the list of key issues of the built
environment provides clear indications on the field of action related to each aspect. Moreover,
these issues represent a basis for the definition of the temporal issues that is proposed in the
following subsection.
3. 1 Temporal Meaning and Temporal Issues
The temporal meaning of each modal aspect has been defined in the previous chapters. In
order to develop an urban-temporal analysis that could be based on Dooyeweerd’s philosophy
of the law- idea, temporal issues must be defined for each modal aspect. These issues are
grounded on the related temporal meanings, being connected to those of the built environment
as defined by Prof. Lombardi (in the following, these issues are called modal issues in order
to distinguish them from temporal ones).
In the light of what emerged from the analysis and investigation of Dooyeweerd’s philosophy
and thinking, it is possible to define the following temporal issues related to the built
environment. They are grounded on the concept of change as cause and effect of systemic
evolution, with reference to the important role of time flowing defined by the T6 temporal
dimension.
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• Numerical aspect. The temporal meaning of a numerical aspect is before and after,
and it represents a pure succession of moments. As suggested in chapter 4 and chapter
5, this aspect is the temporal origin of the entire temporal modal order, both its law
side and its entity side. It expresses pure numbers, succession of quantities. With
reference to the modal issues and to the temporal meaning and role that the numerical
aspect plays within the modal order, temporal issues could be increasing or
decreasing of population, increasing or decreasing of available resources, variation
of number of species and their population level. This is not an exhaustive list of issues,
they are but definitions of the statistical variation in a specific length of time.
Temporal issues within the numerical aspect define the variation of the modal issues in
a specific length of time that is measured along T6 temporal line. This variation
depends on causes that are related to the following aspects, as, for example, a variation
occurred within the spatial aspect. Within the numerical aspect, census-data numbers
are basic for all the following aspects. They are simple numbers placed at the bottom
of the so-called pyramid of reality. If we use the simile of a pyramid also for a
planning process, it is possible to affirm that census-data numbers are at the bottom of
the planning process. These numbers have to be read in relation to data contained in
the following aspects. By collecting census data, planning processes are at the very
beginning phase.
• Spatial aspect. The temporal meaning of the spatial aspect is spatial extensiveness,
and it defines the static character of space. Space is described in a fixed moment in
time. As emerged from the proposed investigation, Dooyeweerd considered space in
its general meaning as grounding aspect for all following modalities. Under this point
of view, if related to the built environment, space defines not only specific characters
of layout and shape, but also social space in its wider meaning (including economic,
juridical, and faith ones). Modal issues defined by Prof. Lombardi provide a range of
possibilities that describe urban space in terms of form and layout. These issues are
important in order to understand the spatial identity of a certain urban context. They
represent a sort of container for all further meanings and functions defined by the
following aspects, but at the same time, they contain echoes of past actions and
change, measured on T6 temporal line. The spatial aspect represents the urban
structure, expanding and changing through time, like the hidden cities define Olinda,
as described by Italo Calvino. Temporal issues are related to the concept of change of
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spatial boundaries through time, as related to evolution of urban areas with respect to
population growth, changing boundaries between natural environment, and built
environment. These issues anticipate the concept of movement and the temporal
meaning of the following aspect. Within the spatial aspect, the built environment
issues indicate specific characteristics related to location, proximity, terrain shape. The
related temporal issues provide a description of the spatial characteristics of a certain
area that will gain in meaning through the succession of modalities (for example, a
certain area that is a social, economic, and juridical space, like an urban district).
• Movement aspect. Movement aspect’s temporal meaning is succession of pure
movement in space. Modal issues are related to infrastructures, roads, accessibility,
mobility, and wildlife movement. In a wider sense, movement indicates simply
change, both a change of location and a change of way of being or succession of stages
of life. Movement anticipates the temporal meaning of the physical and biotic aspects.
It is the kernel meaning for evolution in all its aspects. Temporal issue related to the
built environment within the movement aspect is time needed to go from A to B with
respect to means of transportation. Infrastructures play an important role in everyday
community life. Granted accessibility to everybody, even disabled people, is necessary
for a good quality of subjective and collective community life. Movement and spatial
configuration are deeply linked. Within the movement aspect, space is described in
terms of mobility and accessibility. Roads, infrastructures, transport, and viability
define the spatial dynamics. The temporal meaning, succession of movement, indicates
that kinematic relations have started. Time to go from A to B (T1), which are points in
a certain space, is an indication of the speed of means of transports, not only of the
distance to be covered, but also of the rhythm of perception of space itself.
Infrastructures inevitably change space, influencing it for a long term. Within the
movement (kinematic) aspect, space is going to be structured in terms of movement.
Data collected within the numerical aspect can have a more defined meaning if located
in a more defined space. Kinematic relations provided by infrastructures built in a
specific spatial context will cause changing relations within all the following aspects.
• Physical aspect. The temporal meaning of the physical aspect is succession of causes
and effects, and it provides a description of change as related to specific causes and
having specific effects. Modal issues of the built environment are related to energy,
building materials, and structure of the ground on which to build. Temporal meaning
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within this aspect indicates that the conditions of the ground, of the physical
environment, as well as materials used in building, depend on what happens within all
the other aspects. Causes related to action and change produce effects on the entire
modal order. The physical environment changes, causing further effects. Temporal
issues should define the variation and evolution of energy available for human and
biotic activity, buildings, districts, and settlements. Temporal issue within the physical
modality could be defined as time needed for energy to increase or to decrease by
consequence of a certain cause (waste disposal). This introduces the concept of time
needed by nature to regenerate, which is contained in the biological aspect. Within the
physical aspect, the temporal issue indicates the existence of a length of time (T2) for
response (effect) of a certain system subjected to change (cause). Issues of the built
environment (energy, structure of ground, building materials, etc.) are very important
in describing human and biotic activity. They are descriptive of the state of urban
environments in terms of physical activity that is grounding in urban-system
functioning. Succession of causes and effects, in particular time between a cause and
its effect, is an indication of the dynamic character of natural and built environment.
• Biotic aspect. Biotic aspect is related to natural environment. Its modal issues are air
and air quality, water and water quality, green areas, pollution, soil, etc. They describe
aspects of the environment that are connected to anthropical activity (pollution). The
temporal meaning defined by Dooyeweerd is succession of life stages, and it is a clear
reference to the evolution of natural species. The biotic aspect is the superstratum
sphere of the physical aspect. Temporal issues are then grounded on the concept of
succession of causes and effects as time needed for a certain specie (animal or
vegetal) to develop or to regenerate. Anthropical activity and the increasing use of
cars as means of transportation (instead of cycles) also to cover short distances are
cause of pollution. At the same time, urban areas are interested by industrial activity,
commercial- or military-related enterprises. These aspects cause a spatial, biotic, and
physical configuration that has influence also on social activity. Issues of the built
environment within the biotic aspect (food, shelter, air and air quality, water and water
quality, green areas, pollution, soil quality, biodiversity, resilience of ecosystems, etc.)
are indications of all those green aspects of urban environments. Urban systems are
not just built environments, they enclose human systems and their relations with
natural environment. Temporal issue within the biotic modality describes the dynamic
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character of the evolution of these aspects. In fact, a good functioning of the biotic
aspect depends mainly on the existence of all those life species characterizing natural
and urban environment.
• Sensitive aspect. The temporal meaning of sensitive aspect, which is duration of
feelings, is related to the subjective human sphere. Feelings engendered by living
there—feelings of well-being, as well as comfort, security, and safety—define the
relation between man and his surrounding environment. The temporal issues to be
defined within this modality are related to human needs and expectations, even on a
sensitive level. As asserted and exposed in the previous chapters, the sensitive
modality describes human naive attitude toward surrounding environment, natural and
built one. At the sensitive level, man and environment are connected. Man is “in” the
environment. Temporal issues to be defined are perception of surrounding
environment related to movement, perception of natural environment, sense of well-
being deriving from satisfying use of energy, health related to physical and natural
environment, sense of orientation in space, and sense of identity. Duration of feelings
is a flowing sense, whose interruption (expressed by subjective and collective
discontent) can define the existence of a problem within the other aspects. The
sensitive aspect describes the human sphere. Issues related to the built environment
within this modality (feelings engendered by living there, feeling of well-being,
comfort, security, safety, provision of peaceful surroundings) provide indications on
the relation man-environment through a sensitive point of view. The temporal issues
within this modality are defined by the temporal dimension T4, which introduces the
subjective sphere. This dimension can be represented by a length of time, although its
value cannot be a priori established because of its not objective character.
• Logical aspect. Logical aspect is related to theoretical experience. Man and
environment stay one in front of the other, defining a sort of gegenstand relation. The
temporal meaning of the logical aspect is prior and posterior, and it defines human
analytical processes. Modal issues are clarity with which issues are aired in the
community, quality of analysis for planning and evaluation, knowledge, tendency to
understand rather than react to issues. Temporal issues define ordinate succession of
events, subjective and collective priority, and attitude to choice. This is the action
sphere for humans, and it depends on subjective and collective sense of satisfaction,
deriving from perception and sense of well-being that is provided in the sensitive
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modality. Within the analytical aspect, the relation of man-environment is
characterized as a human attempt for a logical investigation of surrounding reality.
• Historical aspect. The historical aspect provides the formative temporal line (T6
temporal dimension). This aspect is central within the modal order, and it defines
ongoing time, days, years, and centuries, through which urban structures and
communities evolve. Heritage, history of the community and area, and built heritage
are all issues describing evolving situations within all aspects through time. Temporal
issue within the historical formative aspect is the definition of temporal phases with
respect to changes occurring within the modal order.
• Lingual communicative aspect. The temporal meaning of the lingual communicative
aspect is tempo of a speech, of a gesture. This aspect defines, under a temporal point
of view, the kind of communication that is normally used in order to share information
in the community. Temporal issues are time spent to communicate with respect to
distance (verbal communication, technological communication), temporal identity,
and evolution of symbols and signs for one’s sense of direction. Communication
means are very important in defining space. They connect, in a logical and emotional
sense, man with his surrounding environment, encouraging his sense of being part of a
place. The lingual modality, related to the built environment, provides issues that
introduce the concept of sharing information (ease of communication in the
community, quality of communication, symbols transferring, information provision,
monuments, signs, advertising, the media) within a community. The subjective sphere
turns into collective one, and communication is necessary for social intercourse. Ways
for communicating and sharing information are characterized by social intercourse, as
they indicate how communities interact and develop.
• Social aspect. Social aspect represents community life. Its temporal meaning is social
intercourse, social forms of time. Temporal issues are time spent to socialize, time
spent to share. With respect to the implied means of communication, these issues
describe community attitude to meet in private or public places. With reference to
urban planning discipline, it defines public participation in decisional processes. Issues
related to the built environment provided within the social aspect (social relationship
and interaction, recreational places, social climate, cohesion, plurality, clubs, and
societies) are related to the temporal meaning, social forms of time, by the temporal
dimension T8, which indicates time spent in sharing and/or in socializing. This
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dimension can vary with reference to T7 rhythm of communication. Verbal
communication and dialogues can allow social experience based on personal
intercourse; on the other side, technological communication makes social distances
wider while increasing rhythm for sharing information.
• Economic aspect. The temporal meaning of the economic aspect is forecast, time
related to value. Dooyeweerd pointed his attention to the concept of frugality and
care of resources. This aspect is deeply related to the previous ones, as a good use of
resources will ensure their availability for future generations and give to the natural
environment the time it needed to regenerate. Temporal issues are time spent to
recycle, time spent for recovery, time forecast for economic return of a specific
activity, long or short term for jobs. These issues indicate the economic attitude of a
community, containing echoes of subjective and collective sense of satisfaction.
Issues related to the built environment within the economic aspect are use of land, use
of replacement of renewable resources, recycling schemes, attitude to finance, etc.
They provide indication of the role played by the economy within a community.
• Aesthetic aspect. The temporal meaning of the aesthetic aspect is harmony,
equilibrium. This aspect is defined by modal issues as beauty, amenity and landscape,
and social harmony. They are all important issues indicating the existence of a good
level of quality of life, a satisfying and equilibrate relation man-environment. The
temporal issues are time spent in theatres and art galleries, time spent for the natural
environment (private and public green areas, gardens, open spaces, trekking, outdoor
activities). The aesthetic aspect indicates harmony within all modal aspects.
Satisfying outdoor activities or cultivating the fine arts or literature depends on the
existence of a satisfying economic and social life and a preserved natural
environment. This could be encouraged by juridical activities.
• Juridical aspect. Juridical aspect regards the sphere of law and law-making,
regulation and policy instruments, ownership, contracts for building, property market
interests. Its temporal meaning, which is lateness or delay and temporal issues related
to the built environment, can be defined as expiry date for planning instruments,
prescribed time within which to start and to end buildings, expiry dates in building
and planning office procedures, time horizons for programmes and plans. With
reference to the built environment, the juridical aspect is related to all planning and
building, office procedures, and defining the bureaucratic machine. Time terms and
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expiry dates are fixed in order to organize and control building and planning activity.
This helps offices in following procedures more clearly, but on the other hand, they
imply working fast, very often at paid attention’s expense. Owners and builders are
subjected to the same situation—if they are not able to finish within term dates, they
very often go on without planning permission.
• Ethical aspect. The temporal meaning of ethical aspect is time required for all forms
of love, and modal issues proposed are general demeanour of people towards each
other, goodwill, solidarity, equity, etc. Temporal issues within this aspect, related to
the built environment, are time spent in one’s neighbourhood and statistical variation
of number of voluntary centres. The ethical aspect is grounded on the juridical one.
• Faith aspect. The temporal meaning of the faith aspect is eternity, and it indicates
subjective and objective tendency towards future. The faith aspect is the highest one
within the pyramid of reality. Leading concepts are aspirations, expectations, which
make people hope into the future and move human’s actions and decisions. Temporal
issues are time spent for religious activities, time horizon for subjective expectations,
and time horizon for collective expectations. These temporal issues are important
indications in planning. Expectations derive from needs that are expression of lack of
subjective and collective equilibrium and satisfaction.
The above-defined temporal issues could be useful if used together with the ones related to
the built environment. They provide the dynamic character of each modal aspect, and they can
be supported by temporal dimensions.
3.2 Temporal Dimensions
In chapter 5, a set of temporal dimensions has been provided for each modal-temporal
meaning. With reference to the above-defined temporal issues, it is possible to better specify
the temporal dimensions related to each aspect:
Modal aspect Temporal meaning Temporal issues Temporal dimension NUMERICAL Before and after -increasing or decreasing
of population -increasing or decreasing
of available resources -variation of number of
species and their population level
T0 Quantity, it expresses the
difference between, before, and after
quantities with respect to a certain length of time
SPATIAL Spatial extensiveness -change of spatial No proper temporal
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boundaries through time -evolution of urban areas with respect to population
growth -changing boundaries
between natural environment and built
environment
dimension, it contains the temporal evolution of the
whole modal system
MOVEMENT Succession of pure movement in space
-time needed to go from A to B with respect to
means of transportation
T1 Length of time
quantity and rhythm (long time for a slow
rhythm, or short time for a quick rhythm). It
introduces the concept of speed.
PHYSICAL Succession of causes and effects
-time needed for energy to increase or to decrease
as consequence of a certain cause (waste
disposal)
T2 Length of time
quantity
BIOTIC Succession of life stages -time needed for a certain specie (animal or vegetal)
to develop or to regenerate.
T3 Length of time
quantity
SENSITIVE Duration of feelings -perception of surrounding environment
related to movement -perception of natural
environment -sense of well-being
deriving from satisfying use of energy
-health related to physical and natural environment -sense of orientation in
space -sense of identity
T4 It is related to the
subjective human sphere (entity side).
Temporal issues are not measurable in terms of
quantity. T4 determines variations in the continuous flowing
of emotion (change in emotional
state).
LOGICAL Prior and posterior -ordinate succession of events
-subjective and collective priority
-attitude to choice.
T5 Related to the subjective
sphere, it is not measurable by quantities. T5 indicates an ordinate
succession. FORMATIVE Development of culture,
tension between past, present, and future
-temporal phases with respect to changes
occurring within the modal order
T6 Length of time
quantity in terms of years
COMMUNICATIVE Tempo of a speech, of a gesture
-time spent to communicate with
respect to distance (verbal communication, technological
communication) -temporal identity and
evolution of symbols and signs for one’s sense of
direction.
T7 Quantity expressed in terms of hours spent in
communication, the temporal identity of signs
and symbols is represented by their age
and traditional role.
SOCIAL Social intercourse, social forms of time
-time spent to socialize -time spent to share
T8 Quantity in terms of
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hours spent in social activities
ECONOMIC Forecast, time related to value
-time spent to recycle -time spent for recovery
-time forecast for economic return of a
specific activity -long or short term for
jobs
T9 Quantity, length of time
AESTHETIC Harmony -time spent in theatres and art galleries
-time spent for natural environment (private and
public green areas, gardens, open spaces,
trekking, outdoor activities)
T10 Quantity, amount of
hours
JURIDICAL Lateness or delay -expiry date for planning instruments
-prescribed time within which to start and to end
buildings -expiry dates in building
and planning office procedures
-time horizons for programmes and plans
T11 Length of time
quantity
ETHICAL Time required for all forms of love
-time spent in one’s neighbourhood
-statistical variation of number of voluntary
centres
T12 Amount of hours
quantity
FAITH eternity -time spent for religious activities
-time horizon for subjective expectations
-time horizon for collective expectations
T13 Quantity
amount of hours length of time
Table 2: Table of issues. Source: author’s elaboration.
The above-listed time dimensions provide useful indications as to the nature of the related
temporal issues within each modality. Defined temporal dimensions for the sensitive and
logical modalities are not measurable in terms of quantity, as they are related to the subjective
human sphere.
4. Conclusions and Further Work
In this chapter, a set of philosophical and environmental concepts have been provided. They
are derived from the investigation of Dooyeweerd’s philosophy and from the study conducted
by Prof. Lombardi. Concepts like change, motion, and succession of numbers have been
indicated as leading in the building process of the proposed framework. In chapter 5, three
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main temporal directions have been defined. They indicate how time affects reality. In this
chapter, the contribution given by Prof. Lombardi’s thesis has been focussed; she proposed a
set of issues related to the built environment which, although not exhaustive, provides a valid
basis for the definition of the temporal framework, that is proposed by this thesis.
In the next chapter, all the concepts developed in chapter 4 and chapter 5, and summed up in
this chapter are aimed at defining a practical framework that can support sustainable urban
planning. The defined set of temporal meanings are placed into a table- the Temporal Table,
that is proposed as a support for planners. This table is aimed at analyzing an urban context as
fixed in a temporal moment. The Temporal Table provide a description of the urban context
as result of a long process of evolution. It is meaningful both in the historical temporal
analysis and in planning for the future.