eThekwini City Architects are joining in
World Architecture Day on October 1 and World Architecture Month throughout
October.
The theme is Architects are City Changers in an endeavour to highlight the very
important role that architects play in the ever evolving urban landscape.
World Architecture Day and World
Architecture Month, is an initiative started in 2005 by The International Union
of Architects (UIA), a non-governmental organisation and global federation of
national associations of architects which aims to unite architects from around
the globe. The theme selected by the UIA Council aims to contribute to the
movement initiated by the United Nations through their World Urban campaign Better Cities, Better Lives.
According to the UIA Website “City dwellers
will make up 70% of the world population in 2050, and cities will have to enact
drastic changes in order to accommodate the citizens of the 21st century and
offer them living conditions conducive to personal development and well-being. ……..
The necessary evolution must concentrate on mitigating climate change, reducing
polluting emissions, and better management of resources and energy; structuring
cities to be socially inclusive, accessible and equitable, eliminating
discrimination and precarious housing; developing cities that can resist crises
and cataclysms, whether natural or induced by man, developing economic,
educational and creative opportunities for all; ensuring the security and
sanitary conditions vital to all individuals.”
City Architect, Jonathan Edkins says:
“World Architecture Day and Month is an opportunity for architects to highlight
the contribution they can make in changing our cities for the future to meet
the growing demands of the built environment. We as architects have an
important part to play in the development of our future cities as we attempt to
find solutions for what are called sustainably liveable cities.
“In Durban we are particularly pleased with
development made with a number of buildings and environments within the city,
Edkins continues. “Our efforts were rewarded with a number of projects
recognised through the KwaZulu-Natal Institute for Architecture Merit Awards
Programme; these include the New Clermont Swimming Pool and Soccer Field
Upgrade, which also received a national South African Institute of Architecture
Commendation, the Green Hub at Blue Lagoon and the Housing Typologies Research
Study."
During World Architecture Month, the
eThekwini City Architects will highlight a number of projects in an effort to
expose Durban’s citizens to the work being down to create this city’s future
built environment.
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