Watch: (Re)Shaping Colombia: The role of architecture, urbanism and design| FUTURE CAPE TOWN

“During these visits, the researchers and participating architects had the opportunity to learn about development practices from each other’s countries.”

Watch how two Colombian researchers embark on a journey of interrogating the role of architecture and urban design in different cities.

Colombia is a country that is constantly undergoing change. After decades of civil war, it is now a stable and post-war country. But how can the new challenges of urban development, service delivery and infrastructural progress be addressed and what are the opportunities for positive change within these challenges?

Two Colombian researchers embarked on a journey to  visit 15 different architectural firms in Denmark and the Netherlands to exchange experiences  and ideas on building new inclusive ideas on development, design and architecture and in the process, motivate deep and lasting socio-economic and cultural transformations.

These two countries were chosen because they are both at the forefront of innovative urban design and architectural development, also both of these national and local governments recognize the value and importance of design in the success of their cities.

During these visits, the researchers and participating architects had the opportunity to learn about development practices from each other’s countries. Discussions with the different firms showed that development and design practices between Colombia and other European countries are vastly different, but this allows for  all parties to learn from each other and to break systems and think outside the box. These visits also investigates the role of architects in shaping the broader culture of a city, and how architecture and the concepts of design can be used to create social change in different contexts.

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