A Design Historical Study of the Jerusalem Committee: In Search of Designs Responsive to the Challenges of Contemporary Society

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K12668
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 90010:Design-related
• Research Institution: Toyo University (2023); Ferris University (2019-2022)
• Principal Investigator: Kondo Ariyuki 東洋大学, 福祉社会デザイン学部, 教授 (00323288)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: デザイン史 / エルサレム会議 / ニコラウス・ペヴスナー / 西洋建築史

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In 1969, the Jerusalem Committee was set up in order to discuss the future urban development of the city of Jerusalem. The Committee consisted of some seventy renowned international experts from different fields: theology, philosophy, architecture, urban planning, art, journalism, law, etc., and the Townplanning Subcommittee was also set, inviting representative figures in architecture and urban planning. The majority of the Subcommittee members were hugely fascinated by Jerusalem’s authentic and Orientalist aura, and thus overly emphasized the city’s symbolic and spiritual significance. It is, however, noteworthy that the Jerusalem Committee attempted the modernization of the historical city by taking seriously into account civil concerns, the practical, daily needs of the citizens of Jerusalem. This was the outcome of the interdisciplinary nature of the Jerusalem Committee, capable of detaching its discussions from current fashion and trends in architecture and urban design.

Free Research Field

デザイン史、イギリス芸術文化史、イギリス建築史

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

エルサレム会議とその傘下に設置されたエルサレム都市計画小委員会は、エルサレム市の宗教的、文化的、歴史・考古学的な記念碑性を認識しつつも、その近代化計画においては市民が日々直面している現実問題を具体的に改善し「生きた（成長する）都市」として開発する姿勢を鮮明にした。建築・都市計画をめぐる諸問題は、多分野を横断する学際的な枠組みの中で扱われることによって、住民の現世的・世俗社会的利益の確保と維持・促進に寄与しようとする視点が強化されることを、エルサレム会議で繰り広げられた議論は示している。