Topic: Resource management and efficiency
Davor Meersman pt 5 – Should We Stop Building? A Debate on the Future of Urban Development
Do we actually need more buildings? Davor Meersman responds to the argument that we should stop new construction altogether and instead retrofit existing spaces. He examines the environmental costs of traditional materials like concrete and steel, the risks of toxic building materials, and why he believes sustainable new construction must be part of the solution.
Sustainability Building materials and techniques Climate change and adaptation Environmental conservation Resource management and efficiency Lifecycle thinking and long-term planningJan Bunge pt 2 – Digital Twins, Open Data, and Smarter Cities
Can we create a complete digital model of a city? Jan Bunge examines the promise and limitations of digital twins, discussing how data-driven urban planning can optimise resources and reduce waste. He argues that while a perfect digital twin is impossible, integrating fragmented data into a shared understanding of cities is the key to better decision-making.
Digital twins and simulations Urban design and development Resource management and efficiency Data-driven decision making Sustainability Systems thinkingJan Bunge pt 4 – Participatory Design, AI, and the Role of the Public in Urban Planning
Should non-experts help design cities? Jan Bunge explores how real-time interactive tools are changing public consultation, allowing communities to shape their environments in ways never before possible. From game-engine-driven urban planning to AI-assisted design, he discusses the delicate balance between expert knowledge and democratic participation in shaping the future of our cities.
Co-creation and participatory design AI and digital tools Community engagement Urban design and development Resource management and efficiency Digitalization and innovationMatti Kuittinen pt 1 – Architecture, Policy, and the Challenge of Sustainable Construction
Matti Kuittinen, professor at Aalto University and former policymaker at Finland’s Ministry of the Environment, discusses the intersection of architecture, education, and government. He reflects on the role of policymakers in shaping sustainable construction and whether the building industry can move beyond damage control to become a positive force for the planet.
Sustainability Building materials and techniques Climate change and adaptation Systems thinking Policy-making and evaluation Resource management and efficiencyMatti Kuittinen pt 2 – Resilient Cities, Climate Change, and the Lessons of Disaster
How do we design for an unpredictable future? Matti Kuittinen shares insights from his work in disaster-prone regions, including Haiti and Japan, to explore how architecture can build resilience. He examines the role of city planning in mitigating climate-related risks and the political challenges of long-term thinking in an era of short-term governance.
Architectural education and practice Climate change and adaptation European collaboration and policy Resource management and efficiency AI and digital tools Lifecycle thinking and long-term planningMatti Kuittinen pt 4 – Beyond Borders: The New European Bauhaus and a Global Perspective
Is the New European Bauhaus a uniquely European movement? Matti Kuittinen challenges the idea of national boundaries in design, arguing that the initiative must address planetary-scale challenges. He considers how the movement can influence global construction culture, how European policies compare with international efforts, and what role architecture might play in the far future—even beyond Earth.
Sustainability Resource management and efficiency Lifecycle thinking and long-term planning European collaboration and policy New European Bauhaus Human-centered design