Conference Welcome

On behalf of the International Region, I welcome you to the 2021 Spring Conference.  We have a worldwide array of speakers and sessions that explore the issues of sustainability in the built environment in many different cultural settings.  What becomes quickly obvious is that an emphasis on sustainability has different meanings around the world.  For some, a pure measure of carbon is the principal driving factors.  In other areas, social factors such as housing are of principal importance.  The United Nations with their Sustainable Development Goals go even further and include elements such as education, gender equality, the eradication of poverty, and health in their definition of sustainability.  You will hear these views, and many others, during this conference.  We hope that the ideas shared will help you reflect on your situation and hopefully give you some guidelines on how you can achieve greater sustainability, in all its guises.

The conference is the collective work of all seven chapters of the International Region as well as International Region members who aren’t affiliated with any chapters.  The strength and depth of this conference shows what is possible when we all work together towards a common goal.  We are delighted to have the UIA joining us with their Commission on Sustainable Development and their Education Commission both hosting sessions.  We are again partnering with the RIBA Sri Lanka to produce another series featuring Women in Architecture.  We are honored to feature AIA Gold Medalist Ed Mazria and eminent architect/ecologist Dr Ken Yeang as keynote speakers.  AIA Chief Executive Officer Robert Ivy and AIA National President Peter Exley also feature as keynote speakers and will expand on the AIA’s efforts in its efforts towards sustainability and the agency of architects.

We give a huge round of thanks to the speakers of this conference who have given their time and expertise in the spirit of professional fellowship.  This fellowship is one of the special privileges we share as being part of this profession.

I also thank our technical partners, AIAU for broadcasting the conference on their system and managing the backend logistics.  Thanks also to conference chair Ali Lari, and AIA IR Administrative Director Genie Khmelnitski for their exhaustive efforts in pulling the conference together.

Finally, this conference is produced in part with the assistance of our corporate partners to whom we give our thanks.  Founding and Sustaining sponsors AECOM, American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), and Dow.  Continuing sponsors ASI, TNG North Glass, and Informa Markets.  Event sponsor ICD.

We look forward to seeing you at our next physical conference in Dubai in November, which coincides with the Dubai Expo.  For those of you unable to travel, we will make a portion of the conference available as an online hybrid event.

Lester Korzilius; FAIA, RIBA
President; AIA International Region
lester.korzilius@aiainternational.org

There has never been a moment in recent human memory that the world has given such attention to a natural event as is happening now. Yes, I mean the COVID pandemic and its continually unfolding effects and ensuing response. Perhaps what this has taught us is that we are all on this planet together and everyone is responsible to take action. 

With that awareness, it is time to bring actionable attention to the looming climate problem. For too long have we merely called for action. It is time to implement action... implement change so that we may handover a world that is cleaner, healthier and more livable to future generations than the world we received from our forefathers. 

As architects, our role is not merely in shaping the world. That is the apparent dimension; rather what we truly do is shape human behavior, perceptions and attitudes and that is far greater than any aesthetic exploration. We create possibilities of cities that are in greater harmony with their mother earth and shape humans that are more engaged with their natural environment. Whether it be in the materials that we use to build, inspiring those around to do the same or enacted policies that promote more walkable & bikeable communities, we are all engaged in this at different levels and scales. 

In this conference, we are joined by an esteemed list of speakers that will share their knowledge & expertise in developing that kind of world. We hope that you will find inspiration, direction & motivation towards a more sustainable world... a world we can give back to future generations that is healthier, cleaner and more beautiful.

Ali Lari, AIA, PMP
Conference Chair
President; AIA Middle East
ali.lari@aiamiddleeast.org