Architecture OTHERWHERE Durban 2014
XXV
International Union of Architects (UIA)
World Congress DURBAN 2014
The 25th Congress of the International Union of Architects (UIA) World Congress 2014 took place at the Durban International Conference Center in Durban from August 3-7. This is the first time the Congress has been held in South Africa. Participation included delegates from all over the world.
The International Union of Architects (UIA) organizes an International Congress every three years. The UIA is a non-governmental organization accredited by the United Nations and represents professional associations of architects in 124 countries and some 1.3 million architects worldwide. The UIA Secretariat, based in Paris, is responsible for the overall management and administration of the Union.
The host city for the Congress is selected 6 years in advance. At the 2008 UIA Congress in Turin, the South African Institute of Architects (SAIA) won - with the support of the National Department of Public Works - the bid to host this triennial international Congress nine years after the post-democratic readmission of SAIA to the UIA.
UIA 2014 Durban represents a unique and very important opportunity for South Africa to showcase the development of its built environment in the 20 years since democratization. The Architecture Otherewhere theme recognizes the built environment as a major force that can be harnessed for a better life for all.
To achieve this goal, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu supported UIA 2014 and generously accepted the high patronage of the Congress.
Against the backdrop of a diverse and multi-layered city, UIA 2014 Durban invited practicing architects, academics, planners, students, opinion leaders, activists, artists and communities from disciplines involved in city-making to contribute to a unique debate on human settlements and urban evolution.
UIA 2014 IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
Today, more than half of the world's population lives in urban environments. Major issues facing communities and the environment are resource depletion, water and food security, and the loss of local culture in a globalized society.
The Congress program is based on an in-depth analysis of cities, investigating how architecture is produced and the interaction between communities and the built environment.
South Africa's issues are closely linked to those of Africa. UIA 2014 Durban will recognize the relationship between the urgent need for shelter, infrastructure, basic amenities, employment and social development, the way political decisions are made and the impact of the global economy on communities and the environment.
UIA 2014 is an opportunity for Africa to make its mark in the current debate on sustainable city development. The event aims to be truly inclusive by bringing different stakeholders together to explore how architects and built environment professionals, artists, communities and policy makers can play a crucial role in addressing social and environmental inequalities through the sub-themes of the Congress - Ecology, Resilience and Values.
CONGRESS THEMES
Other Thinking | Other Regions | Other Practice | Other Disciplines | Other Communities
Other Thinking, Other Regions, Other Practice, Other Disciplines, Other Communities
Architecture Otherwhere - the theme of the Congress - will celebrate diversity by exploring other communities, other regions, other disciplines and other ways of thinking, practicing and teaching in architecture. The intention is to recognize the built environment as a major force that can be directed towards a better life for all - through the sub-themes of Resilience, Ecology and Values. These three platforms are intended to re-align the values of the profession, develop methods and techniques of professional engagement, and challenge the ethics associated with architectural design and practice. Particular emphasis will be placed on addressing URBAN INFORMALITY AND JUSTICE THROUGH ARCHITECTURE EDUCATION AND PRACTICE.
In a time of questioning business as usual, UAI 2014 intends to highlight elements capable of adding value to the debate on cities and human settlements.