6 Under 60 is a collaborative research endeavor and interactive multi-media exhibition organized and presented by the University of Southern California (USC) School of Architecture, School of Cinematic Arts and Roski School of Art and Design. An interdisciplinary team of USC faculty, research associates, and students in architecture, design, curatorial practice, and interactive media have analyzed six cities that emerged or were transformed within the last 60 years— Chandigarh, Brasilia, Gaborone, Almere, Shenzhen, and Las Vegas.
The research investigates the original intentions, goals, catalysts and master plans of these six cities, how their progress unfolded, and the developments that have made these cities what they are today. The presentation includes empirical data about the population growth, quality of life, industrial growth, cultural vibrancy, and economic success of each city. Geographic, natural, social, political, and economic conditions over the past 60 years of their development is also considered, as well as how those aspects have affected the image of and position taken by each city, and both local and global outcomes.
The exhibition is an immersive environment with infographics and visual imagery presented on touch tables that invites visitors to explore the data about each city, while also drawing comparisons between and among them. The exhibition also includes moving images and sounds projected within the space that reflect the qualities of each city. A website will make a selection of information available to the wider public outside of Shenzhen.
Together the research and exhibition consider such questions as what differentiates planned cities from those that develop more organically; what do these cities have in common despite their emergence and growth under differing geographic, political, and economic conditions; and how do these six cities provide a model for the future of new cities?
Led by Rochelle Steiner, curator and Dean of the Roski School of Art and Design, the Core Project Team members are: Qingyun Ma, Della & Harry MacDondald Dean’s Chair in Architecture, USC School of Architecture; Scott S. Fisher, Professor & Chair Interactive Media Division; Associate Dean of Research, Director Mobile & Environmental Media Lab, USC School of Cinematic Arts; Stefano di Martino, Director, M. Arch Program, Professor of Practice in Architecture, USC School of Architecture; and Jennifer Stein, Research Associate, Mobile & Environmental Media Lab, USC School of Cinematic Arts. Additional Principle Team members include: Hua Rex Chen, Sarah Loyer, Joshua McVeigh-Schultz, Jon Rennie, Brettany Shannon and Kevin Tanaka. Dozens of additional USC students from these disciplines have also been involved in all aspects of this project.