Can we, as researchers of the territory, still investigate and learn about our built and the unbuilt environments through direct experience? Can we rely merely on digital cartographies, or should we still be explorers who embark on journeys of discovery? We have tried to answer these questions by Mehr
27.11.2019, 14.30–16.00 | ONA Focushalle E7, Neunbrunnenstr. 50, 8050 Zürich (Oerlikon). In conversation with Marc Angélil, Arno Brandlhuber, Charlotte Malterre Barthes, and Milica Topalović. KELLER EASTERLING is an architect, professor at Yale, and one of the most eloquent theorists of architecture and design. In ‘Medium Design’ (Strelka Press, 2018) Easterling argues that design tools are often inadequate to Mehr
Die Debatte um Dichte in der Schweiz ist nicht neu. Tatsächlich ist sie älter und stärker verwurzelt im Fachdiskurs als oft angenommen wird: sie entbrannte stets in Phasen starken Bevölkerungswachstums, das oft mit der unkontrollierten Zersiedelung des Kulturlandes und erhöhter Landspekulation einherging. Noch bevor das Wort «Dichte» im Mehr
On Thursdays, 10:00–12:00 | ETH Zurich, Oerlikon, ONA Fokushalle E7 | Lecture Series. This lecture series sets up the agenda for widening the disciplinary field of architecture and urbanism from their focus on the city, or the urban in the narrow sense, to wider territorial scales, which correspond to the increasing scales of Mehr
25 September 2019, 18:00-19:00 | The Grand Projet Book Launch & Exhibition Opening | ETH Zürich, Hauptgebäude, im Lichthof, Erdgeschoss (HG E Nord), Rämistrasse 101, Zürich | exhibition open 25.9. to 4.10.2019. At this book launch and exhibition opening, The Grand Projet team at the ETH-Future Cities Laboratory presents the Mehr
24-25 September 2019 | Zurich. The FCL conference ‘Future Cities: Actions’ will feature outcomes of research conducted at the Future Cities Laboratory since 2015, when the second phase of the programme began. In particular, the conference will focus on actions and FCL’s contribution to sustainable future cities.
The Institute for Landscape and Urban Studies (LUS) has been founded as part of the Department of Architecture, with the Professors Christophe Girot, Hubert Klumpner, Freek Persyn, Christian Schmid, Milica Topalovic, and Günther Vogt. It replaces the three previous Institutes for Urban Design (ISB), Landscape Architecture (ILA) and the Contemporary City Institute (CCI).
July 2019 | Fondazione Innovazione Urbana, Bologna. Cartographies of Planetary Urbanisation is a joint exhibit by Milica Topalovic, Prof. of Architecture and Territorial Planning, ETH Zürich; Christian Schmid, Chair of Urban Sociology, ETH Zürich and Neil Brenner, Urban Theory Lab, Harvard GSD.
5 Sessions on selected Mondays, 16:00–18:00. ETH Zurich, Oerlikon, ONA Focushalle E7, Neunbrunnenstr. 50. Sessions on Territory is a series of public debates on the political economy of architecture and territory. Focusing on how the epoch of the Anthropocene reframes our conceptions of the urban and shapes new Mehr
24 November 2018 – 5 May 2019 | SAM Basel. Ausstellung | Exhibition. Formen des urbanen Zusammenlebens in der Schweiz. Der Begriff der Dichte ist in der Schweiz auffällig negativ besetzt. In der politischen Diskussion um die städtebauliche und raumplanerische Entwicklung der Schweiz wird Dichte oft als Kampfbegriff Mehr
The project on the unbuilt focuses on the urban body composed from many open landscapes found within the city of Belgrade. These diverse sites of vital ecological resources, productive lands and recreational spaces, have evolved throughout history as urban «voids» within the city fabric. As an antidote to Mehr
Core Course on Thursdays, starting 20 September, 10:00–12:00 | ETH Zurich, Oerlikon, ONA E7, Neunbrunnenstr. 50. This lecture series sets up the agenda for widening the disciplinary field of architecture and urbanism from their focus on the city, or the urban in the narrow sense, to wider territorial scales, which correspond to Mehr
Lecture Series: 6 Sessions on selected Mondays, 16:00–18:00 | ETH Zurich Oerlikon, ONA Focushalle E7, Neunbrunnenstr. 50. Sessions on Territory is a series of public debates on the political economy of architecture and territory. Focusing on how the epoch of the Anthropocene reframes our conceptions of the urban and shapes new ecologies, the Mehr
Exhibition, 23 November 2018, 19:00 Vernissage. 24 November 2018 – 5 May 2019 | SAM Basel. In Switzerland, the concept of density has noticeably negative connotations. In Swiss political debates on urban development and land-use planning, density is often used as a discursive weapon, conjuring up terrible visions of «built up» cities and horrific Mehr
Prof. Milica Topalović (*1971), zurzeit Assistenzprofessorin an der ETH Zürich, wurde zur ausserordentlichen Professorin für Architektur und Territorialplanung ernannt. Milica Topalović ist eine der wichtigsten Exponentinnen im neuen und innovativen Forschungsfeld der Architektur des Territoriums.
A workshop with leading scholars and researchers on territories of extended urbanisation and a research trip to the three adjoining cities Johor Bahru, Singapore and Batam: two undertakings to develop a thorough understanding of extended urbanization and rethink inherited cartographies of the urban.
The doctoral programme at the ETH Zurich Department of Architecture’s Institute of Landscape and Urban Studies (LUS) offers one fellowship position starting on 1 October 2024. 100%, Zurich-based, fixed-term. Job description
The doctoral programme at the Institute of Landscape and Urban Studies (LUS), ETH Zurich D-ARCH, is dedicated to exploring contemporary challenges in urban and environmental transformation within broader socio-cultural, political-economic, and theoretical frameworks. This programme is designed to foster critical discourse and nurture independent, innovative, and proactive research that addresses pressing social and environmental issues.
The LUS Institute engages with the production of landscape, territory, and human settlements across various scales and diverse global geographies. Key research areas include landscape and designed ecologies, energy transition, agroecology, hydrology, regenerative agriculture, adaptive infrastructures, housing, and socio-economic development with a focus on urban inequality. Geographically, the LUS Institute’s research spans Switzerland, Europe, and the broader global South.
By bringing together disciplines such as architecture, landscape architecture, urban and territorial design, and planning, as well as the social sciences, the doctoral programme at the LUS Institute adopts an inter- and transdisciplinary approach. This approach encompasses a diverse range of methodological approaches, from qualitative and quantitative research to ethnography, critical cartography, design-based action research, systems research, and urban theory.
The doctoral programme is conducted in English. With a current enrollment of over 25 participants, the LUS doctoral programme encourages both individual research and collaborative engagement within the doctoral community. The programme offers multiple platforms for interaction, such as the LUS methods seminar, institute-wide colloquia, workshops, and doctoral reviews. Embedded in the vibrant doctoral education environment of the Department of Architecture at ETH Zurich, the LUS doctoral programme actively collaborates with the doctoral programme at the Institute of History and Theory of Architecture (gta), ETH Zurich. This collaboration enhances interdisciplinary perspectives and provides enriched research opportunities.
While the proposed research should align with the individual and collective research agendas of the participating chairs at the LUS Institute, candidates are welcome to apply with an independent research topic, provided it aligns with the collective competencies of the Institute. The LUS Institute currently comprises seven chairs, each contributing to its diverse research landscape:
Conduct original doctoral research on an individually determined topic within the disciplines of landscape and urban studies. The fellowship places no restriction on the geography or time period of the proposed research project. You are expected to devote a small part of your time to community building activities at the LUS doctoral school and co-curate LUS Talks during the second year of your studies. See past LUS Talks here.
100% doctoral employment at the ETH standard rate, with an expected term of three-and-a-half years to completion, pending successful approval of the doctoral plan at the end of year one.
We are seeking individuals with a background in architecture, landscape architecture, urban and territorial design and planning, and social sciences, with strong research or design experience that can benefit from the inter- and transdisciplinary engagements offered by the institute.
You must hold a university diploma or master’s degree obtained at university level (equivalent to the FHEQ-Level 7) in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, urban planning, and social science, or related fields.
You must additionally demonstrate excellent research and writing skills.
The programme provides funding for up to three-and-a-half years, with a potential extension. You will be employed at full employment (100% pensum), based on the ETH Zurich doctoral student contract, with monthly salaries according to the ‘standard rate’. For a detailed calculation of salaries, please refer to this link.
You are required to take up residency in Zurich during the period of the scholarship. Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich
In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish.
Applications must be addressed to the Institute of Landscape and Urban Studies rather than to individual professors. Applicants must note that the application will be solely evaluated for their content and the applicants are thus requested to not contact individual professors before applying.
We are looking forward to receiving your online application with the following documents by 15 March 2024, 23:59 CET:
Please note that applications missing any of the documents listed above and/or exceeding specified page limits will not be considered for evaluation.
The programme exclusively accepts application documents submitted through the ETH online application portal. Applications submitted via email or postal services will not be considered.
Further information about the programme, the participating faculty and the application process.
Applicants are requested to refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) before approaching the programme coordinator. Only for questions that cannot be addressed through the FAQs contact the doctoral programme coordinator Nitin Bathla. Requests sent to any other email will not be considered.
In: PhotoResearcher, No. 28/2017. Vienna: European Society for the History of Photography. S. 68–83. Download A discussion about the relationship between photography and territorial research. Does photography have the status of a document, or does it have a «projective» status of its own? How is it possible to Mehr
Das Projekt Constructed Land: Singapur 1924-2012 untersucht die Materialkreisläufe des Bodens und die sich im Laufe der Zeit verändernde physische Form der Insel Singapur. Bis heute wurde etwa ein Viertel der Landfläche durch den Import von Sand, die Landgewinnung aus dem Meer, die Umgestaltung des vorhandenen Geländes und das Mehr
Die Braillard-Stiftung verfolgt in Zusammenarbeit mit den Eidgenössischen Technischen Hochschulen Lausanne und Zürich und der Architekturschule Mendrisio ein vorausblickendes Forschungsprojekt zur Verdichtung des Schweizer Stadtraums. ETH Zürich D-ARCH Architecture of Territory, mit Asst. Prof. Milica Topalovic, beteiligt sich am Atelierprojekt Lac Léman – Metropolitan Countryside. Mit Fokus auf Mehr
Das Konzept der planetary urbanization ist heute ein viel diskutiertes Thema. Die Grenzen der Stadträume sind förmlich explodiert und umfassen mittlerweile riesige Gebiete weit über die Grenzen der grössten Mega-City-Regionen hinaus. Neuartige Urbanisierungsmuster kristallisieren sich in unterschiedlichen Umgebungen heraus und hinterfragen überlieferte Vorstellungen des Städtischen als umfasste Zone Mehr
Im Laufe der Geschichte fungierten Städte als Zentren politischer und wirtschaftlicher Macht, von denen aus das landwirtschaftliche und ressourcenreiche Hinterland kontrolliert wurde. Seit dem 19. Jahrhundert haben neue Technologien, Verkehrsträger und die Eröffnung neuer Handelswege die Reichweite erweitert und die Beziehung zwischen den Städten und ihrem produktiven Hinterland Mehr
Der europäische Landschaftsraum ist mittlerweile vollständig urbanisiert. Die Landschaft im traditionellen Sinne ist verschwunden; die Unterschiede zwischen Stadt und Land sind zusehends verschwommen. Im Gegensatz zu den eindeutigen urbanen Veränderungsprozessen der Städte sind die Prozesse des urbanen Wandels im ländlichen Raum massiv, verlaufen aber oft unbemerkt. Abseits von Mehr
Milica Topalovic ist Architektin und Stadtplanerin. Ihre Forschungsschwerpunkte liegen im Bereich der territorialen Urbanisierung jenseits der Grenzen der «Stadt an sich». Prägende methodische Ansätze zur Beschreibung gegenwertiger Urbanisierungsprozesse werden aus den Themenbereichen der Geographie, der Statdgeschichte und der bildenenden Kunst abgeleitet. Seit August 2015 ist Topalovic als Assistenzprofessorin für Architektur und Territorialplanung am Departement Architektur der ETH Zürich tätig. 2011–15 hatte sie eine Forschungsprofessur am ETH Future Cities Laboratory in Singapur inne, wo sie die Beziehung zwischen einer Stadt und ihrem Hinterland untersuchte.
5 Sessions on selected Mondays, Autumn 2017, 16:00 – 18:00 h | Elective Course Place: ETH Zurich, Oerlikon | ONA Focushalle E7 | Neunbrunnenstr. 50, 8050 Zurich «Sessions on Territory» is a new series of public debates on the political economy of architecture and territory within and beyond the neoliberal order. Focusing Mehr
Cities never develop without a hinterland – to nourish any form of urban concentration, large volumes of material resources need to be mobilized in territories beyond the limits of the city. The territorial impact of contemporary cities extends across vast geographic scales, forming planetary hinterlands. Our research project Mehr
Zurich: ETH D-ARCH. Mehr Drawing from its mythological past, Arcadia remains one of the most enduring pastoral utopias in Europe. Seemingly unaffected by urban growth, it is here where radical urban transformations took place and unexpected new forms of living and production emerged. The book documents the first semester Mehr
The Architecture of Territory project investigates the urban transformations of contemporary territories. Since 2011, we have conducted the Hinterland research project, using the island state of Singapore as the paradigmatic research case. The project is based on investigations of resource flows of sand, water, food, labour and energy Mehr
Nachhaltige Städte und Siedlungssysteme Entstanden durch Wissenschaft, Design, vor Ort, im Laufe der Zeit Das Future Cities Lab Global (FCL Global) befasst sich mit den weltweit bedeutsamen Herausforderungen einer raschen regionalen Veränderung und verfolgt das Ziel, ein besseres Verständnis für die Beziehungen zwischen Städten, ländlichen Gemeinden und ihren Regionen Mehr
Application period: 1 February 2024 – 30 April 2024. Master of Advanced Studies in Urban and Territorial Design ETH Zürich D-ARCH LUS and EPFL ENAC HRC joint master programme.