Reseña

The need of a metropolitan glossary The need of a glossary for the metropolitan discipline emerged from the long experiences of the HEI partners working in the multidisciplinary environment of metropolitan context. A clear set of definition describing various concepts of the new subject is fundamental for easy communication not only amongst the different fields in the academy but also with the practitioners. Every sector has its own terminologies defined within the circle and there is a limit in using the terms without reaching an agreement on the meanings of the vocabulary used in the discussion. However, multidisciplinary approach does not require individuals to be professional in all required fields; It rather needs various professionals to understand that priorities are set different when coming from a different discipli ne. While encouraged to think out of their own box, it is important to have some inside views in other boxes to reach a holistic conclusion. Glossary serves as the basis in understanding the different perspectives from various fields and topics.

The new discipline, by its nature, is practical as it is theoretical, requiring a refreshing perspective in looking into practical issues that leads to the building up of new knowledge. The Metropolitan Glossary needs to go beyond the tra ditional list of words and thesa format and represent the evolution of the new knowledge. Starting with the traditional definition, documenting how the meanings of these words changes, and providing new definition when necessary will record the evolution of the discipline. Moreover, the terms will start to create conceptual relations amongst themselves, crossing disciplinary boundaries. This is closely related to the perception of contemporary metropolises as a com plex system where all parts are interconnected and issues cannot be separated as a static form, when an element in the system is modified, the entire system fluctuates in an unexpected way. Consequently, the construction of knowl edge requires to reflect this systematic relationship amongst concepts. Hence, through research and practice, the glossary will shape the discipline itself.