Braiding a City of Care: Interweaving Inhabitable Forms into the Urban Landscape

Abstract

This thesis examines the declining state of cities through the lens of care, advocating for a relational approach to urban design that fosters stronger community connections. Drawing on critical care theory, this thesis critiques the formalization of public spaces, which often leads to a disconnect within communities and limits possibilities for meaningful inhabitation. The concept of uninhabitation, where spaces become void of life and activity, is explored through the transformation of public spaces from socially embedded to regulated, fragmented zones. To counteract this, the thesis proposes a braided design methodology, which integrates care into the urban fabric through intentional layering, interweaving, and patterning of spaces. By situating inhabitation as both a condition and a form of care, the methodology encourages the development of relational networks that support collective well-being. This approach offers a framework for reinhabiting urban environments and addressing the growing disconnection in cities.