October 5 - World Architecture Day

The International Union of Architects (UIA), a global organization representing 1.3 million architects, announced a few months ago the theme for the 2015 World Day of Architecture, which we celebrate today: Architecture, Building, Climate. The theme is evocative and engaging: we learn from the UIA press release that architects' organizations must and will mobilize to be a voice in the negotiations related to the COP21 international conference in December, highlighting the essential role of architecture and urbanism in reducing greenhouse gas emissions - http://www.uia.archi/en/s-informer/nouvelles/9743#.VhJFnPmqqko.

We cannot report on the number of documents, regulations, standards or measures that architects and urban planners can rely on in the design and planning of the built environment in Romania. We do know, however, that there are architects, to their younger generation's praise, who carefully consider and think through any choice of materials, technologies or design parts that lead to more economical, rational, maintainable and resource-efficient buildings throughout their lifecycle. We know that there are urban planners who not only protest against building on green spaces or against non-selective and irresponsible waste management; they design integrated spaces that provide places that are as attractive, functional at the lowest possible cost and with the least possible long-term climate impact. They are the ones who initiate projects for the reconversion of brownfields or urban/rural brownfields to stop the waste of resources and pollution of all kinds.

Arhitectura magazine wants to join all architects who are thinking seriously and in a balanced way about these issues. The CIVIS News column of the magazine will be much more open in the future to these architects/urban planners and their pilot projects. And issue 3/2015, with the theme "Materials and Materialities" presents examples of such environmentally responsible design and construction.

Monica Lotreanu,

Editor-in-Chief