Making the buildings and cities of the future more sustainable while using fewer resources was at the focus at the start on Monday of the World Congress of Architects being held in Copenhagen.
The congress organised by the International Union of Architects sees itself as “a chance to make architecture a central tool in achieving the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.”
None of the major challenges of our time, of our century could be surmounted without architecture, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said at the opening of the congress in Copenhagen’s Bella Centre conference centre.
She pointed to how the world’s resources were used along with health aspects and inclusivity. Architects’ expertise and creativity were essential for all of this, Azoulay told the audience of experts in the field.
UNESCO would soon set up a special label to highlight architectural solutions, Azoulay said. She added that work was underway to have more modern African architecture on UNESCO’s world heritage list.
Danish Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt emphasised the role of architecture in securing a sustainable future.
Architecture was part of the answer to challenges such as climate change, urbanisation and social inequality, he said. Architecture had the ability to change societies and make a lasting impact, he said.
Inviting participants to gain an impression of Danish architecture during the congress and urban planning in Copenhagen, designated World Capital of Architecture 2023, he issued a word of caution: ”Watch out for the bicycles. There are rather a lot of them here.” — dpa
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
