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World Architecture Day 2024 theme encourages young architects to drive forward-thinking, sustainable urban development

2024-08-03T11:00:00-04:00

The International Union of Architects this week revealed the theme for this year’s World Architecture Day. Held annually on the first Monday of October since its creation in 1985, the day occurs parallel to the United Nations’ World Habitat Day, aligning the architecture community’s efforts with global urban development goals.

This year’s World Habitat Day theme is “Engaging youth to create a better urban future,” which closely relates to the World Architecture Day 2024 theme, “Empowering the Next Generation in Participatory Urban Design.” Through this theme, the UIA says it hopes to encourage young architects to contribute fresh perspectives towards sustainable urban development. Key areas of focus include energy efficiency, waste management, the use of sustainable materials, and the promotion of sustainable mobility.

As stated in a UIA press announcement, World Architecture Day 2024 will be celebrated by showcasing successful youth-led projects that have transformed communities an...

Barcelona has been announced as the UIA's 2026 World Capital of Architecture

2021-07-29T18:53:00-04:00

Barcelona has been named the 2026 World Capital of Architecture by the International Union of Architects (UIA), joining Rio de Janeiro and Copenhagen on a list of cities to receive the UNESCO-backed distinction.

The Catalan capital beat out Beijing for the next edition of the honor and will now host the UIA’s triennial conference and general assembly following the recent anointment of Copenhagen, which will hold the title in 2023.

Barcelona’s winning bid was titled “One today, one tomorrow” and will explore the city’s relationship to sustainability drives and the future of architecture “with the aim of transferring [to] the whole of the society the importance and value of architecture and urbanism,” according to a COAC statement.

The congress is slated to coincide with the long-awaited completion of the Sagrada Familia in time for the 100th anniversary of the tragic death of its architect An...

UNESCO-UIA names Copenhagen the new World Capital of Architecture for 2023

2021-07-27T13:55:00-04:00

The city of Copenhagen has been officially designated as World Capital of Architecture for 2023 by the Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, on the recommendation of the General Assembly of the International Union of Architects (UIA). This decision is in keeping with the partnership agreement established between UNESCO and the UIA in 2018, through which UNESCO designates the host cities of UIA’s World Congress as World Capitals of Architecture.

Copenhagen follows Rio de Janeiro, who was the inaugural holder of the title. The Danish capital will host a series of major events and programs on the theme “Sustainable Futures — Leave No One Behind.” In cooperation with the Danish Association of Architects and various Nordic professional groups, the city will explore how architecture and urban planning can contribute to realizing the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Previously on Archinect: UNESCO names Rio de Janeiro as first World Capital of Architecture

After Copenhagen 2023, the next holder will be either Barcelona or Beijing, who are contending to claim the World Capital of Architecture title in 2026. The official decision will be made later this year.

“We are very happy to see the torch of the World Capital of Architecture title pass to Copenhagen from Rio de Janeiro,” said Azoulay. “The inaugural World Capital of Architecture in Rio was a real success, underlining the important role of urban planning, not...

What is World Architecture Day doing for architecture?

2019-10-07T12:45:00-04:00

Every year the International Union of Architects (UIA) reminds the globe to celebrate World Architecture Day (WAD). However, like most annual holidays that generate a large amount of interest within a 24-hour period, but quickly fade away as the day ends, there's hope that this year's festivities will be longer-lived. Which makes sense: With the profession's laundry list of existential concerns—climate change, equity in practice, and goals for decarbonizing the built environment—seemingly never-ending, how can one day address its theme in addition to these other issues?

Commonly celebrated every first Monday in October, WAD also coincides with United Nations World Habitat Day, a revealing detail that perhaps puts the day into a more significant context. According to the UIA's site, the day helps address one of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, "to make cities and human settlements safe, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable."It is with this idea in mind that this year's theme ...

UNESCO names Rio de Janeiro as first World Capital of Architecture

2019-01-22T13:46:00-05:00

UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Culture Ernesto Ottone R, Thomas Vonier, President of the International Union of Architects (UIA), and Verena Vicentini Andreatta, Municipal Secretary of the City of Rio for Urbanism, on Friday 18 January announced that the city of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) will be the World Capital of Architecture for 2020.

The new World Capital of Architecture initiative is part of a recent partnership between UNESCO and the International Union of Architects (UIA) and allows the designated city to host the triennial UIA World Congress.

Under the theme "All the worlds. Just one world," Rio de Janeiro is expected to hold a series of events throughout 2020.

AIA President Thomas Vonier named President of the International Union of Architects

2017-09-13T14:03:00-04:00

Established in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1948, the UIA is recognized as a non-governmental organization by the United Nations. It works on matters of professional and public interest through three permanent commissions and various work programs. It is chartered to unite architects internationally, without regard to nationality, ethnicity, or political viewpoint.

Thomas Vonier, president of the AIA, was elected President of the UIA (International Union of Architects) during the 2017 World Congress and General Assembly held in Seoul.

Vonier will remain AIA President until December. Carl Elefante, will be AIA President for 2018 and William J. Bates for 2019.

“We must show the world how architecture can help to resolve the difficult issues facing society and our planet. The UIA is here to unify architects worldwide, influence global policies and outcomes, and advance the power of architecture to meet human needs,” said Vonier during his campaign.