In an era marked by profound environmental, cultural, and societal transformations, architectural education stands at a critical juncture. This second international webinar of the UIA Architectural Education Commission “Emerging Global Trends in Architectural Education,” brings together leading voices to explore groundbreaking practises shaping the future of design and teaching. The discussions span three critical themes: adaptive and situated design, decolonised pedagogies, and co-creative approaches.
The first talk, Radicant Design by Jana Revedin, introduces an innovative approach inspired by the adaptability and resilience of radicant plants. Through strategies such territorialisation, rehabilitation, and experimentation, this approach fosters context-sensitive, collaborative projects rooted in the lived experiences of communities. A powerful example, “Lighting Cairo’s Garbage City,” showcases how radicant design bridges global collaboration and local empowerment.
The second talk, Decolonising Architectural Pedagogy by Ashraf Salama, addresses the persistent Eurocentrism in traditional pedagogies. By integrating insights from five global case studies which were undertaken in different continents and examining and aligning these with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the ADAPT2SDG framework emerges as a transformative tool for fostering inclusivity, equity, and sustainability in architectural education.
The third talk, Ear to the Ground, Gaze to the Stars by Selma Harrington, calls for a radical reimagining of design practices. Anchored in grassroots movements such as the New European Bauhaus (NEB), this approach redefines architecture as an inclusive, participatory, and place-based discipline, embracing sustainability and care for existing structures and the communities within.
Together, these three talks provide a compelling trajectory for the future, inspiring students, educators and practitioners to embrace innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability in reshaping the built environment.
View the webinar booklet to find out more