All UIA “working bodies”—the four Commissions and the ten Work Programs—are busy on their respective initiatives in the run-up to the Extraordinary General Assembly (EGA) in Madrid on 16-17 May 2022, where each working body will report on its year-to-date progress. Immediately after the EGA, the Spanish Member Section will host an international housing forum, “Affordable Housing Activation” in Madrid 18-20 May 2022. The AHA Forum will have a virtual program prior to the in-person gathering; information on the Forum can be found at https://www.ahamadrid.com/.
Currently, the AIA’s primary UIA involvement is with the Professional Practice Commission (James M. Wright, FAIA, Co-Director). The AIA and the Architectural Society of China (ASC) were the founding member sections of the PPC and traditionally provide its co-directors. The 2021-2023 triennium PPC includes over 30 official members from all five UIA Regions, along with advising contributors from collateral organizations.
The PPC held its second meeting of the new UIA triennium at the end of March 2022. It formally adopted a pro bono services guidelines document, sending it and a model law governing the practice of architecture and a declaration on equity, diversity and inclusion to the UIA Council for its approval at the next Council meeting. Current PPC initiatives now underway include such initiatives as the review and updating of UIA policy guidelines for architectural licensing and registration; guidelines and policies relating to the ethical challenges encountered with the design-build project delivery method; review of computer-aided practice policies including development of a draft declaration on design software pricing and cost structures; development of international plan of work policy guidelines; creation of a basic model Owner-Architect project agreement; and development of guidelines for architectural practice in a pandemic environment and separate guidelines for recovery from man-made and natural disasters. The PPC will also be participating in AIA International’s newly launched mentoring program championed by Michelle Montgomery and Elaine Wong. Please contact James Wright with any questions on the UIA and its activities.
James M. Wright, FAIA, NCARB
Past President, AIA International Region
Co-Director, UIA Professional Practice Commission
