PERSONAL RESPONSE TO CURRENT ISSUES IN PRATICE

Personal response to current issue in practice



Role of architect in global and local context

The increased trend to urbanization with the growth of mega-cities has been one of the main features of globalization. Even in parts of the 'North', where many city centers and the surrounding inner or outer city may be suffering a decline in population and economic activity, the phenomenon of urbanism - the city its suburbs and satellites - continues to grow. Even where rural populations have expanded it is often as dormitory villages or second homes representing the privileges of an urbanized life-style. However, evidence based on the experience of previous communications developments, such as the telephone, would suggest that in a globalised high tech world cities can have an important future. (Cabe 2001 P.23)

Innovation is the time of incorporation and the task of defining the architecture as a discipline since its inception conscious rebirth. Since then, all great architects have been innovative, radical - that is the stuff that architectural history is made. And the architecture is seen historically. What is recognized as the architecture is characterized by radical innovation and theoretical argument. The mere creation (ie, the vernacular, the mainstream, commercial architecture is based on the repetition of well-tested solutions for granted. Innovation questions in the way of doing things and requires an argument that goes beyond mere concern and construction skills. Innovation requires a theory. Ultimately, it involves conceptions of the good life and good society. Great architecture and architectural theory relates ambitious architectural progress with social progress. The status quo does not require the theory. Theory offers an implicit utopia. (King 1980 P .1)

The weakening of social provision and public facilities and infrastructure, the changes in employment conditions (lowering of wages for the poor and an increase in payment to the rich) and loss of manufacturing employment in the developed world have greatly increased social and economic inequality The better off move to separate areas, in extreme cases physically 'gated' areas. (King 1980 P .1)

The domination of transport by the private car further undermines the public domain. Many older cities of the North are suffering declining population and economic activity, as employment and people move to smaller cities, and the suburban fringe. These feed urban sprawl with pressure for more roads and services which consume more money and resources. Often the cities suffer falling income so services are cut which can reinforce a spiral of decline. This is enhanced where resources have been cut because of neo-liberal policies. This in turn weakens the tax base further as business and the better-off move away which again leads to further cuts in resources making the city less attractive. (Hawken 1999 P.16)

Cities and citizens are increasingly seen, and feel themselves to be at best individual consumers, with little power to shape society. For the poor not even consumption is available to them as a symbol of citizenship. (Tafuri 1999 P.26)

UK example

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners is a firm ...