Architects and their Social Responsibilities

                      A: “Your grandfather looks healthy. Who treated his illness”?

                      B: “Oh ya, Dr. Smith is a great doctor. He knows his job. He cured my grandfather like never before.”
        A: “Your office building looks so elegant. Who was the designer of this building?”
      B: “ Designer? Well, ummm... hmmm.... well,..... actually, I don't know.”
 
      We, architects, work to make the living better for people of our society. Our works are highly visible and experienced in everyday life. But still, we struggle hard for establishing our identity.

            This situation has aroused not only because society do not appreciate or understand our efforts, but largely because we as architects have not contributed completely in fulfilling our social responsibilities. Most of us prefer to confine ourselves in the four walls of Art, Architecture, Aesthetics and Ethics

          But it’s time that we come out and participate in community activities and public services. 
   
 ‘By participating in public life, architects have the opportunity to improve the built environment and the lives of those experience it. In this capacity, architects increase their exposure, make new contacts, learn how things get done in the public arena, and gain knowledge that can be helpful in serving the client.’ -         William M. Polk, AIA

·         Following are a few suggestions about how you can participate and contribute to balance between your commercial goals and social goals. 
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Urbanization and cities:

Due to our inabilities to manage urbanization, our cities are a chaos with poor infrastructure, confusion and damaging environmental impact.

By 2050, it is estimated that 50 % population will be staying in urban areas, which means we are anticipating still more danger and chaos to our cities. 

Public policy and development programs are made by the governments to address these urban issues. But as architects, we can become public advocate and make a significance difference individually or through professional bodies. Policies can be viewed from a different perspective and technical suggestions can be made for public interest during the policy making process.

Migration, Instead of looking as professional growth opportunity, We must be sensitive and conscious in our practice and participate in all the opportunities available to contribute in making our cities more habitable and beautiful.

Sustainability: 

Construction activity is one of the biggest consumers of natural resources and energy. Society expects architects to understand, innovate, and take initiative in developing and recommending appropriate materials and techniques which will optimize resources and help our countries to be more sustainable.  

Community service:

Architects can participate in the community activities and public service by being a volunteer to several public organizations, NGOs and community centres. Not only community benefits from his or her contribution, but architect also enhances his image and builds the goodwill for the profession.

Government alone cannot cope up with the issues of homelessness, AIDS shelter, retirement housing, etc.  Support from professional bodies would be a great assistance and society would enjoy the fruits of the best technical knowledge available in the country.

Disaster and emergency architecture:

Are we only concern about building new? Don’t we have responsibility to rehabilitate and rebuild for people suffered during the disaster?  Architect's specialized training and situational problem solving skill can contribute immensely. It only requires initiative and team work. 

Architect's contribution as Govt. Employee:

Architects’ practice is controlled by government via development rules, regulations, zoning etc.

Architect as a public servant has a very influential role in making town planning policies, advising govt. In framing policies for public buildings, rules and regulation enforcement, etc.  His / her technical as well as administration skill can make him/her a distinct coordinator between public and government. 

Nonstop Training:

Architect’s education doesn’t stop with graduation. In fact, it demands continuing professional training and development. 

“Technology today changes almost as quickly as weather “ says (Price water house coopers)

Our education program must make architects aware about the balance they need to maintain between their commercial goals and their social responsibility. 

Are we ready? So, prepare yourself to serve the society and say 
‘yes 2 Architectural Management’!