equity - standing against systemic racism

The architecture profession is not one known for its forward thinking in terms of equity. Sure we have social housing, public space, and cultural institutions to our name but even these are largely inequitable. Housing that segregates people by race and income, public space unequally distributed and cultural institutions that largely focus on white European accomplishments. We can do better.

During the current public protests against systemic racism, catalyzed by the death of George Floyd, there seems to be an awakening. I receive daily messages from individuals, institutions, and companies sharing their support for the protesters brave enough to go out into the streets to demand change. I support this cause against systemic racism in our policing, policy, and culture and am here to amplify their voices. We have been quiet for far too long. Injustices against black and brown people in this country, and all over the world, have been happening forever, and the voices of these people have been suppressed for just as long.

It is time we listen. When people say “Black Lives Matter”, it is because the system has been acting as if they don’t. When people gasp “I can’t breathe” it is because they are suffocating from injustice. When people shout “no justice, no peace”, it is because they are willing to fight for the same rights that the rest of us take for granted. It is time we hear.

It breaks my heart, I am disappointed in myself that it has taken so long. But here we are. We must stand against injustice and inequity. In our personal lives and in our profession, we must make a conscious effort against racism, misogyny, and other forms of hate. It is with this that I pledge to work within my community, include people from all backgrounds, mentor, and teach. I ask you to do whatever you do, with purpose and love. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere...whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” Act for justice.

Architecture after Covid-19

Covid-19 has seen the emergence of “social distancing”, the separation of people, the closing of public space, the antithesis of what many architects and urban planners seek. 

Many architects work in the public space, creating spaces for social gathering (bars, restaurants), collective engagement (schools, universities), entertainment (theaters, sports arenas), and culture (museums, libraries) many of which are now closed. 

While technology allows us to collaborate and work from home, and maybe even have social interaction without physical connection, there is no doubt that close physical proximity and social gatherings are part of our nature and enrich our lives. 

Even some of the largest gatherings in the world that don’t bring everyone together physically, think the Super Bowl or the Olympics, things we enjoy using technology are typically paired with smaller gatherings, like your Super Bowl party or a visit to the local sports bar.  

So what will the impacts be of this virus which has forced us apart?  We have seen architecture affected by tragic events throughout history; the Great London Fire of 1666, the Chicago Fire in 1871 and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911 all shaped modern building codes.  More recently, the nature of design changed throughout the world after the events of September 11, 2001 and the Grenfell Tower Fire of 2017 made us reconsider building materials and, yet again, our building codes.  All of these events caused a great loss of life, in an instant and caused us to react.  What will be the effects of this current outbreak that has impacted more of us in a wider geographic area? 

Some of the initial reactions to this have been to separate people, restrict travel, close public spaces, restrict social gatherings, and, in the most extreme cases, isolate people.  This can’t be the new normal.  As architects and designers we need to step up to reframe public space where people feel safe.  Some of the spread of the current pandemic has been due to poor hygiene, so we need to address that for one.  One outcome may be the redesign of public restroom facilities to provide more fixtures, more separation, more opportunities for us to practice good hygiene. 

I personally love public spaces, I love going to museums, concerts, public parks, these are the places I love that enrich my life.  Seeing an exhibit online does not replace going to a gallery and experiencing an installation.  Just like watching a YouTube video of a concert cannot replace the visceral experience of being there.  Thank you for Metallica Monday’s by the way. 

So what can we do, once we’re allowed to do it?  Here are some thoughts: 

1. Use materials that don’t support bacteria and viruses. 

2. Offer more opportunities for people to practice good hygiene. 

3. Improve ventilation and indoor environmental quality. 

4. Promote wellness, daylight, physical activity, healthy food choices. 

5. Build community - so that people are willing to help their neighbors, we do this best when we know who our neighbors are, and we know who our neighbors are when we see them. 

Time will tell what the long term impacts of a 21st century global pandemic will be.  These are just my thoughts here in isolation.