Towards effective city rejuvenation with ICT: Web-based shape grammar supported refurbishment design

Abstract

In this paper we consider the architectural task of the rejuvenation of cities consisting of the large scale renovation of regular apartment buildings. It is argued that ICT, and specifically shape grammar systems, provide the means to take up this task by refurbishing the apartments in these buildings in an individualized way, thus avoiding large scale demolishment in cities. We give this argument for the specific case of Rabo-de-bacalhau apartment buildings in the city of Lisbon by sketching a shape grammar system for the refurbishment of these apartments that can be made available as a web tool directly to the apartment inhabitants.