Participation and/or/ against tacit knowledge: ILAUD, 1976–1981

A groundbreaking approach to urban planning and architecture emerged from the International Laboratory of Architecture and Urban Design (ILAUD) workshops held in Urbino between 1976 and 1981. These annual summer workshops, led by Giancarlo De Carlo, brought together students, educators, and practitioners to challenge formalism and explore equitable participation in urban design. While participants initially seemed divided—some emphasizing analysis of built fabric and cultural heritage, others advocating for direct user involvement—the research reveals these approaches were part of a broader consensus aimed at redefining the relationship between users, clients, and designers on the cusp of postmodernity. The study analyzes workshop outputs, including student work and lecture transcripts, to demonstrate how apparent contradictions actually contributed to a more inclusive and dynamic understanding of urban planning.

Lonergan, H. (2023). Participation and/or/ against tacit knowledge: ILAUD, 1976–1981. Interstices: Journal of Architecture and Related Arts, 21–32. https://doi.org/10.24135/ijara.v22i22.712