ekistics

Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 00:04:15 -0500
From: Wordsmith 
To: linguaphile@wordsmith.org
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--ekistics
 
ekistics (i-KIS-tiks) noun
 
   The science of human settlements, including city or community planning
   and design.
 
[Ultimately from Greek oikistikos, of settlements, from oikistes,
colonizer, founder, from oikizein, to settle, from oikos, house.]
 
   "Konstantinos Doxiadis (1913-1975) was present at that meeting. He was
   a Greek architect who coined the term `ekistics' and led the movement for
   more thoughtful urban planning. According to (Wesley) Posvar, Doxiadis
   was preoccupied with the ills of city life. He thought the village
   format--where everything from family to food was within walking
   distance--was the perfect living unit."
   Rehan Nasir, Former chancellor still active at U. Pittsburgh,
   University Wire, 17 Nov 1998.
 
This week's theme: coined words.