11520 Making Space for Advocacy

Description

11520 Spatial Research: 'Making Space for Advocacy'

Architects and Landscape Architects also need to be advocates. Advocacy, as its definition suggests, is the act or process of supporting (or defending) a cause. Now more than ever the world seems to be suffering from a long list of environmental, social, and political crises. From global warming, and the consequent extreme weather events and impact on ecosystems, to the deep effects of colonisation on indigenous peoples and land, the need to act on and advocate for environmental and social justice has never been more urgent. The core questions raised within this context are what is the role of advocacy in architecture and landscape architecture today, and how can we understand its influence on a more just future?

‘Making Space for Advocacy' invites students to reflect on their civic, social, environmental, and ethical responsibilities as design professionals. The subject situates architecture and landscape architecture as disciplines with agency - exposing students to broader practice through forms of advocacy. The subject recognises that the disciplines of architecture and landscape architecture are contingent not only on good design skills but on developing a critical voice that responds to complex, contemporary and often urgent conditions, scaling from the domestic to the planetary. ‘Making Space for Advocacy' equips students with the skills, methods and formats required to frame, situate, and project themselves into a position of advocacy as they enter the profession.

Typical availability

Autumn session, City campus