MONU #25 looks at Independent Urbanism

2016-10-17T12:28:00-04:00

A city in a country that recently gained independence is likely to undergo processes of radical transformation and massive restructuring and re-imagining that are not only societal, political, and economic in nature, but can also impact the planning system of a city and influence its built-up environment. Jasna Mariotti makes this quite clear in her contribution to MONU, entitled "What Ever Happened to Skopje?". This new issue of our magazine deals with various phenomena impacting cities of countries that became newly independent which we call "Independent Urbanism". She shows how the centre of Skopje in Macedonia has been remodeled according to an image of the city that never existed as such. Obviously, many "independent" cities are facing major struggles and difficulties in finding their new identity that usually have a lot to do with the fact that the "birth of a country" is a contested process often involving political turmoil, institutional instability, and economic turbulence...

What would Scottish independence mean for architects?

2014-09-17T13:57:00-04:00

For Scottish architects, a decision to go it alone could create longer-term opportunities for Scotland to enshrine its own architectural education and regulation system based on the protection of function. It could also boost the development of a strong, distinctively Scottish architectural culture […] Independence could well dissuade practices and architects from relocating south.

The Architects' Journal is polling architects for their opinion ahead of tomorrow's vote on Scottish independence. So far, two-thirds of Scottish architects voted pro-independence. Specifically: "Those working in small practices showed a clear preference for independence, but those at medium to large practices were divided by an almost even split between the yes and no camps."

For the most part, the issues behind Scottish independence pertain to more general economic, social, and political considerations, but these would certainly affect the architecture profession. Some have voiced concerns of a brain drain of talented young architects to London. Additionally, the current confusion of what monetary system an independent Scotland would adopt could have severe repercussions for the field, potentially stagnating new projects.

The most recent polls suggest a slight lead for the pro-union camp, but it remains quite close.

Do you have an opinion on tomorrow's referrendum?

Archinect - News

MONU #25 looks at Independent Urbanism

What would Scottish independence mean for architects?