This year, World Architecture Day will fall on 7 October. The day is traditionally celebrated globally on the first Monday in October to coincide with the United Nations’ World Habitat Day.

The day’s theme for 2019, as selected by the International Union of Architects (UIA), is “Architecture… housing for all”. It will focus on how architects can contribute to the realisation of affordable housing for all; the implementation of the New Urban Agenda (endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 2016); and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 11, “to make cities and human settlements safe, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable”.

The UIA Community Architecture Programme is dedicated to advancing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a particular emphasis on Goal 11: Making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. With current estimations stating that by 2030, two thirds of the world’s population will live in cities, it is essential that urban environments develop in harmony with the UN guiding principles. This Work Programme aims to ensure that Architects are mindful of the Sustainable Development Goals in all the projects that they undertake.

Social inequality is becoming increasingly visible, especially in the urban environment, where people from various social strata live in close proximity. The increase in social inequality in urban areas has been shown to have a direct correlation with homelessness, unemployment, social deprivation, and health problems. The UIA Social Habitat Programme works to investigate these problems from an architectural standpoint, and to start implementing positive social action within the architectural community.

On World Architecture Day, 7 October 2019, people all over the world will spotlight architecture through events, exhibits and lectures. You can check the proposal of activities for the architecture week in the main cities of Spain here

Climate Change Action! is the theme of the World Architecture Day, celebrated today, 2nd October 2017. Architecture is one of the solutions to combat the impact of climate change on the environment and humanity.

World Architecture Day was set up in 2005 by the International Union of Architects (UIA), representing more than 1 million architects worldwide. “The threat of climate change is real. Rapid urbanization and building developments are increasing our fuel energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission,” said the UIA members.

By 2030, buildings will contribute nearly half of the nation’s CO2 emissions. This is why architects and builders can have an important role in fighting climate change. But how can they do it?

Passive houses reduce energy consumption

According to the Journal of Green Buildings, energy use during building lifetime causes up to 90% of its environmental impact. Reducing the energy consumption of buildings is an important issue for having sustainable constructions. Passive Houses or Net Zero Energy Buildings are climate-friendly construction. They reduce the energy consumption of our houses. This type of houses may cost 5 or 10 percent more to build, but often that expense can be financed by energy efficiency savings. In fact, the use of renewable energy is also a long-term solution for cities.

Renovation makes buildings ready for the future

Most part of the existing buildings will exist in 2050. There is a huge market for architects to work on renovation. Architects need to develop new ways to reuse our construction stock. Materials should be chosen for durability and sustainability. Adaptative reuse of buildings can help reduce the energy bill of people.

Natural buildings and natural materials

Natural building involves a range of building systems and materials focus on sustainability. Natural building uses renewavle and reused materials such as stone or wood. Green construction principles can be applied to new constructions as well as existing buildings.

Take advantage of the weekend and visit the exhibitions, buildings, activities and workshops that are in your city.