The South African Institute for Architects (SAIA) is proud to host the conference in collaboration with the Gauteng Institute for Architecture (Gifa) and the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
The multi-faceted programme, themed Future City, brings together leading innovators and multi-disciplinary built environment practitioners from around the globe. Architects, urban planners and designers at all levels are invited to attend and participate in this broader, structured and more inclusive three-day event. Film festivals focused on design and engaging city tours are just some of the highlights attendees can also look forward to.
South African architects and designers will share experiences and perspectives with cutting-edge international practices, exploring ways to successfully negotiate the rapidly changing South African urban landscape. Attendees will have the opportunity to join open debates on key issues relating to cities and urban culture’s role and importance in shaping our modern world. The many challenges future cities face, particularly in South Africa, will also be discussed with ideas about how these can be overcome.
“The second decade of the 21
st century heralds a dramatic new era where, for the first time, the majority of the world’s population will live in cities. This landmark trend towards almost unstoppable urbanisation will establish a new power relationship between the state and the city, which will drive business and politics in the future. It will change the way in which humans live, interact and survive in a precarious yet challenging environment,” says, Daniel Silke, a leading political analyst in South Africa and invited speaker.
Daniel van Der Merwe, president of the Gauteng Institute for Architecture (Gifa) says, “Architecture has a critical role to play in shaping our cities’ future. Architects are agents for social change and transformation as they have the power to create better lives through living spaces for all. Architects and designers are vital in providing liveable solutions for current and future generations.”
This highly acclaimed event, set to take place at The Sheds@1Fox in Newtown, will also be open to the public, which makes this venue a unique inner-city destination. The Gifa exhibition of
Regional Institutes’ Awards for Architecture is geared to create interest amongst the public in search of South Africa’s finest architecture.
A
Student Architecture Festival, hosted and organised by the University of Johannesburg, with exhibitions of the Des Baker Student Architecture Design Competition, the PPC
Imaginarium Design Awards Exhibition and the
Student Film Festival, will run concurrently alongside
AZA2015 at The Sheds@1Fox. These much-anticipated events will be open to delegates and members of the public.
“The depth of knowledge to be shared, as well as the variety, vibrancy and energy of the festival, will make
AZA2015 an event to enjoy and remember. We encourage all architects and designers to diarise these events and leverage off the wealth of knowledge,” says Van Der Merwe.
AZA2015 is sponsored by PPC Ltd. For more information about
AZA2015,
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