"6 Under 60" is a collaborative research endeavor and interactive multimedia exhibition organized and presented by leading faculty from three schools at the University of Southern California: the USC School of Architecture, the USC School of Cinematic Arts and the USC Roski School of Fine Arts. The exhibition opened December 8, 2011 in Shenzen, China as part of the 2011 Shenzhen & Hong Kong Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture.

A major exploration of changing urban life worldwide, "6 Under 60" analyzes six cities that were transformed within the last 60 years—Chandigarh (India), Brasilia (Brazil), Gaborone (Botswana), Almere (Netherlands), Shenzhen (China) and Las Vegas (United States).

The data-rich exhibition investigates the original intentions and goals, catalysts and master plans of these six cities, including the developments that have made these cities what they are today. 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? How do these six cities provide a model for the future of new cities?

"6 Under 60" is curated by USC Roski School of Fine Arts Dean Rochelle Steiner, with core collaboration with Qingyun Ma, Dean of the USC School of Architecture; Scott S. Fisher, Associate Dean of Research, USC School of Cinematic Arts; Stefano di Martino, Director, M. Arch Program, USC School of Architecture; and Jennifer Stein, Research Associate, Mobile & Environmental Media Lab, USC School of Cinematic Arts.

"Being asked to curate this exhibition presented an opportunity for USC students and faculty to explore emergent cities through the interrelated fields of architecture and urban planning, visual art and design, interactive media and curatorial practice. Developing this project and presenting it in Shenzhen has been a truly interdisciplinary and international collaboration, and a wonderful experience," Steiner said.

A featured exhibition of the 2011 Shenzhen & Hong Kong Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture, "6 Under 60" presents an immersive environment with moving images and sounds of each city projected within the space, along with interactive touch tables that invite visitors to explore information about each urban locale, including original planning information and archival documents, historic photographs, and architectural plans and maps.

Visitors will also be able to explore graphically presented empirical data about the population growth, quality of life, industrial growth, cultural vibrancy and economic success of each city. "6 Under 60" also invites consideration of the geographic, natural, social, political and economic conditions in each city, as well as how those aspects have affected the image of and position taken by each city, and both local and global outcomes.

A website will make a selection of information available to the wider public outside of Shenzhen at 6under60.usc.edu.

Additional Principle Team members include faculty, students and recent graduates from USC, including Steve Child (Design), Sarah Loyer, Josh McVeigh-Schultz, Jon Rennie, Brettany Shannon and Kevin Tanaka.