Adaptar las ciudades al envejecimiento de la población es el principal reto arquitectónico del futuro, según un experto de Columbia
Adapting cities to aging populations is the main architectural challenge of the future, says Columbia expert
Mark Wigley, who closed the VIII International Architecture congress of the University of Navarra, praised the generation formed in the midst of the crisis.
"In 2050, the Earth will have more than 9 billion inhabitants and 70% will live in cities. Of these, 2 billion will be over 60 years old. This population density and aging require a new architectural pact for our cities. This was stated by Mark Wigley, Dean of the School of Architecture of Columbia University, who closed the 8th International congress of History of Modern Spanish Architecture of the School of Architecture of the University of Navarra, which dealt with 'Architectural magazines (1900-1975): chronicles, manifestos, propaganda'.
According to Professor Wigley,"the city of the future will have to be very different from today's: it will no longer be able to focus only on people of working age, but on children and the elderly, who require spaces suited to their needs and circumstances, both in terms of subject of buildings and public places".
The expert indicated that this challenge is not a problem, but "an opportunity to build a new city subject ", in line with "a new economic model to replace the current one, which is not sustainable". In this regard, he drew attention to the fact that the Mediterranean countries "that are suffering the most from the crisis", Greece, Italy and Spain, are the ones that pay the most attention to the elderly and the youngest."I like to think that precisely in the midst of recession they can be model for a smarter future," he noted.
Raise architecture's ambition with respect to society
On the other hand, he indicated that in times of crisis, architecture "should raise its ambition with respect to society: its mission statement is not to become an efficient part of the economic system, but it has a philosophical responsibility, to understand the beauty of the world. We must appreciate these moments when there are obstacles to action and reflection is a priority."
In this regard, he praised the new generations of architects being trained in the context of the current economic climate: "They are more global, more sophisticated in the use of technologies, more collaborative, more ethical and more capable of maintaining a solid dialogue with the political, financial and ecological spheres. Since they have emerged in a difficult time, they will always celebrate any idea and success, and will be more able to discover opportunities in everything."
Mark Wigley made these statements at the framework of the VIII International congress of the School of Architecture of the University of Navarra, in which speakers from universities in Spain, Italy, USA and Chile participated. Also, during the celebration of the congress the exhibition 'Werk 6/62. A history of Spain' and the 1st Javier Carvajal International Architecture award was awarded to Kenneth Frampton, Professor Emeritus of Columbia University.