Unfinished manifest by Ranko Radović on tradition and modernity in Japanese architecture

Abstract

Ranko Radović (Podgorica, 1935 - Belgrade, 2005) was one of Yugoslavia's most notable architects, urbanists and professors, with a prominent influence on global scholarly discussions on contemporary architecture, urban planning and design. Radović was primarily active in European countries through his practice and academic career. Additionally, he was a council member of the International Union of Architects (UIA) and a President of the International Federation of Housing and Planning (IHFP). In 2002 he became a Minister for Urban Development and Environmental Protection of Montenegro. In addition to his academic role in several countries in Europe, in Japan, Radović was a Professor at the University of Tsukuba and a Guest Professor at the University of Iwate. This paper seeks to show and discuss how his research related to Japan, from his first visit in 1970 to his engagement in academia in the 1990s, shaped how he perceived the concepts of tradition and historicity in Japan's contemporary architecture and cities. In addition to his articles on Japan for journals, a Serbian publisher in 2004 announced the pre-sale of Radović's book "Architecture of Japan - dialogue between tradition and modernity" - Radović died before submitting the writing to the publisher.