Local and Lasting or International and Expiring?

In Till's article, "Here, There, and North of Nowhere", the idea is presented of the impact of global trends on present day architecture and how it will effect society in the future when these trends disappear. I found this topic interesting, particularly after studying in Europe for a semester. In many places, the architecture is so unique to a period and place, it is hard and near impossible for it to be replicated anywhere else. This is similar even with a building typology, for example medieval cathedrals. Although at the core they are similar, you will not find a cathedral in Florence looking like one in Paris or Barcelona. Each is distinct despite similar periods and usage. To me, this has been lost with common trends and, in particular, after the modernist International movement of the 20th Century. 

It seems in the past, buildings were designed with the place in mind and how it impacts the local society. These churches mentioned are often surrounded or placed in large squares for people to gather and social events can be had. Today, often we try to mimic what is done elsewhere because it is popular today instead of finding a local solution or one that can fit a setting for lifetimes rather than a few years.