Urban Palimpsest: Destruction and Renewal

Through this theme, The Commons explores the implied and inherent values of the urban environment, both visible and understood. The word 'palimpsest' suggests the act of scraping away a layer of writing in preparation for the inscription of new words. Programs provided throughout the year will examine the many ramifications of what comprises life of a city.
Rebecca Solnit Coffee @ The Commons

Within this theme, we explore:

Why do we build cities in uninhabitable places?
Are cities more critical to our survival than rural areas?
What importance should we place on the layers of meaning within a city?
Is it wise to rebuild cities that have been devastated by natural disasters and may be again?
What does it take to rebuild a city?
Can we separate emotion from the discussion of a city’s contributions to the world?