ARC314:History & Theory of Architecture III

Assignment 01 – Theory of Ekistics

Prepared By
Abdur Rehman Azeem
Fa20-bar-040
What is Ekistics Theory??
Constantinos A. Doxiadis, was a Greek architect
and town planner. He was known as the lead
architect of Islamabad & Riyadh, and later as the
father of ekistics, which concerns the science of
human settlements.

Ekistics theory is a theory to explain settlement (human

settlement) developed by doxiadis. Natural Theoretically, it can
be said that settlements are part of nature. The research was
carried out by looking at natural elements related to physical
appearance of the earth, availability and ability of the
environment.

What is the significance of the Study of Ekistics??

By drawing from the knowledge of other fields of study in the classification and anatomical study of human
settlements, ekistics seeks to draw general conclusions or formulate theories or laws that can be used by builders,
planners, architects, engineers, and other creators of human settlement.
What are the Five Elements of Ekistics??
Human settlements consist of the five elements nature, man,
society, shells and networks, which form a system
conditioning the type and quality of our life.

Nature, including physical geography, soil resources,

water resources, plant and animal life, and climate;
human biological and emotional needs, sensations and
perceptions, and moral values

Anthropos/Man, alone or in societies, of a

settlement, and the settlement container, or the
physical settlement, composed of natural and
human-made elements.

Society, including population characteristics, social

stratification, cultural patterns, economic development,
education, health and welfare, and law and administration;
Shells, or structures, in which people live and function, such
as housing, schools, hospitals, shopping centers and markets,
recreational facilities, civic and business centers, and
industries

Networks, or systems, that facilitate life and day-to-day

functions of inhabitants such as water and power systems,
transportation networks, communication systems, and the
settlement’s physical layout.