Byera Hadley research reports
Hannah Bolitho / 2021
Engaging with the Politics of Architecture
Architectural Practice
Europe, United Kingdom
This study examines how architecture could benefit from a broadening of architectural practice to expand architect’s input into project development and what improvements could be made to facilitate better access to the urban political decision-making process.
Three city shaping European case studies are investigated to understand what processes facilitate urban design inputs and outcomes. They demonstrate different processes and different levels of architectural involvement and a need for a refocusing of the role of the architect, from the traditional role focusing on invention towards re-invention. The case study projects are Kings Cross London, the Superblocks in Barcelona and Nordhavn in Copenhagen. Observations are made on the case studies through the lens of the four key themes of culture, process, risk and skills.
