Multitude in Cultural Complexities in Asia

National University of Singapore, Singapore

^* Corresponding author: jwidodo@nus.edu.sg

Abstract

The genesis of human settlements is a continuous process of production and layering of patterns, forms and spaces in different scale levels across historical periods. Our urban morphology is the product of the cosmopolitan communities, the articulation of the multi layered tangible and intangible urban traditions and modernization processes. Diversity, eclecticism, fusion, acculturation, adaptation, are the nature of our architecture and urbanism.

However, at present, we are in an urgent need to find resolutions to address serious problems posed by the climate change, ideological conflicts, economic greediness, depletion of resources, and social justice. One of an essential elements in humanity is empathy, and this empathy has been anesthetized or lost due to ignorance and greed in almost all aspects of our relationships with others and nature. The design and planning profession and education should reflect on the mistakes that have been created which have caused cultural, social, and environmental issues. We need to reconsider our present practices, i.e., to reflect on, to interrogate and perhaps to present alternatives to our existing pedagogical paradigm.