The Public's Architect?

 "The practices of everyday urbanism should inevitably lead to social change, not via abstract political ideologies imposed from outside, but instead through specific concerns that arise from the lived experience of different individuals and groups in the city" (13 Crawford Everyday Urbanism Expanded). In undergrad we had a lecturer come and talk to us about the idea of a public architect. At first, I was confused by the boldness of the idea as architecture has always been viewed as a private sector. However, as they delved in more I realized that it actually could be an idea worth pursuing for large urban cities. The idea of a public architect is the same idea as that of a public attorney. You design for those that cannot afford a private architect. The idea that architecture can actually turn into designing for the public in a way that allows the public to see us as people first and not designers is what Everyday Urbanism to me, is all about. 

When thinking about designing cities, it is really hard to picture, unless you have lived in one. With that comes the experiences that surrounds the "everyday" in a city. I believe that this idea of "public" architecture can actually become something greater to help prevent politics such as gentrification in the future. Possibly, these "public" architects would also be the ones to design social housing, and other programs associated directly with public access. Not to say that the "public" would get all of the say in how things are designed, but they would be defended in the way that architecture would be designed from lived experience. 

Everyone has the right to design. Words and experiences can be incorporated into that design. Everyone has the right to an architect. If you cannot afford an architect, a "public" architect will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights that you have just read?