How do we respond?

I believe we, as architects, will be asking ourselves this question numerous times throughout our careers. Especially given the fact that, we, will have to address the affordable housing crisis and overcrowded cities on some level. While David Harvey makes a great point in “The right of the City, ”.. [our society has] freedom to make and remake our cities and ourselves.” But there is a disconnect somewhere, Harvey goes on to say, “… it is one of the most precious neglected human rights..” it really is about the collective giving shape to our cities.  Political and economic strongholds need to be disputed in order for us to see any change and take back that human right.

Jane Jacobs gives an interesting perspective on community unification, “a sense of belonging and social cohesiveness comes from well defined neighborhoods…” Jacobs made another important point on how people need to participate in the activity of the city; once unified we can have the ability to bring about change both economically and politically. Society is becoming such that middle class can no longer live in cities because of the cost. “Luxury apartments” are out of reach, while the more affordable option is terrible quality and unsafe.

Jakarta, Indonesia 30.2 million

While, I do believe we can contribute in helping this situation with innovative affordable materials and unique solutions, the profession can only take things so far. The problem of overcrowding and affordable housing is not ours to fix; it’s the governments. We cannot put pressure on ourselves that we need to make everything better with our design. There’s only so much that is in our control.