Hola! Next Jan-Feb there´s a really interesting course about Participative Design in Lima and the southern earthquake damaged areas of Peru. I would really like to go, but am a bit afraid of going alone with my zero knowledge in spanish. Maybe one of you or someone you know would also like to study in Peru next spring?

Just email me and I´d be happy to forward all the info I´ve recieved from the organisers! inari.virkkala(a)hut.fi

PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DEL PERU SUMMER COURSE

Relational Processes for a social and physical occupation: Participative Design

Department Architecture Faculty Interdisciplinary course: Faculty of Arts, Media Studies Faculty, Psychology Faculty Curso interdisciplinario: Facultad Arte, Faculty of Anthropology. Academia Semester: Summer 2008 Credits: 4 Requirements: 45 passed credits Course duration: 6 1/2 weeks Teachers Architect Claudia Amico (39 hours) Architect Maria Paz Ballen (39 hours) Architect Mariana Leguia (20 hours)

The idea of participation is basically understood as the user’s intervention in the design process. In communities in need such as El Carmen, this process has the potential of creating an inexistent cohesion amongst its members, which could help in the development of future processes and efficient overcoming of the disaster. Detaching participation as a patronised form of social help, and rather proposing a new responsibility and commitment on behalf of the user; it is important to acquire at university the necessary skills and notions in order to proceed in processes of this nature.
Participation in architecture has a long history; however there are few experiences which have theorised over this process. This is an experimental course which explores architectural tools and participative methods in order to generate contemporary knowledge on this practice.

Hi all I am going to Ankara soon and I wanted to ask if anybody knows any cheap places to stay there.And also some links for train or bus from Istanbul to Ankara. Thanks a lot cheers tina

HI! Me and Maria are coming to Paris (9-12 of March),Rome(12-14),Florence (14-16), Milan (16-17). Maybe someone there? Now we are looking for the place to stay, so If you know a good place (hotel, hostel, or you can host us))) it would be really great!! Waiting for your recommendations. thanks

xx, Elena

Travelchannel just listed a competition. The prize is a trip to Lithuania! A luxurious one! Give it a try ;-)) The answer is YES, btw...

www.travelchannel.co.uk

Before I go to Budapest I plan to spend a week on the island of vis, made famous to me by easa 2004. Unfortunatly, I missed that easa, but from everything I heard Vis is super splendid. So, I was wondering if anybody knows of a nice place to stay on the island, things to do, etc? I plan to travel by ferry to Split early Saturday morning 22nd and fly to Budapest from there.

thanks Much ;)