In an era marked by profound environmental, cultural and societal transformation, architectural education is at a critical juncture. This second international webinar of the UIA Commission on Architectural Education, entitled ‘Emerging Global Trends in Architectural Education’, brought together leading figures to explore the revolutionary practices that are shaping the future of design and education. Discussions focused on three key themes: adaptive and situated design, decolonised pedagogies and co-creative approaches.
The first presentation, Radicant Design by Jana Revedin, introduces an innovative approach inspired by the adaptability and resilience of radicant plants. Through strategies such as territorialisation, rehabilitation, and experimentation, this approach encourages 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 issue of persistent Eurocentrism in traditional pedagogies. By integrating the results of five case studies from different continents, examining them and aligning them with the United Nations 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.