Architecture Beyond Borders. Exploring the Relationship between Architectural Theory and Practice in Transnational Endeavors within the Belt and Road Initiative
Francesco Carota
https://doi.org/10.60152/pb1mytc7
Abstract: The paper delves into the intricate relationship between architectural critique and design practice within the realm of transnational architecture endeavors, specifically focusing on the global infrastructure development facilitated by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). As a monumental project spanning numerous countries and continents, the BRI has sparked a wave of architectural interventions that transcend national boundaries. These endeavors offer a unique opportunity to explore how the circulation of design ideas and practices across nations manifests in tangible architectural artefacts, which have thus far remained on the periphery of mainstream architectural discourse. By drawing upon diverse case studies from different parts of the world, where various stakeholders such as governments, investors, communities, and architectural professionals are involved, this research examines the tensions that arise between global and local architectural practices, the negotiation of cultural identities and the adaptation of design standards to accommodate diverse geographical and sociocultural contexts. Through this investigation, the contribution critically evaluates and challenges the oversimplification of global architecture through taxonomic scientific frameworks, rejecting the notion that urban architecture is a static and universally applicable knowledge object that can be studied using a singular framework. Instead, it sheds light on the complex dynamics at play in the creation of built environments within a multi-dimensional globalized context. The final aim is to promote the development of new concepts and theoretical perspectives that foster a more cosmopolitan and inclusive understanding of architecture and urbanism.
Keywords: Belt and Road Initiative, Transnational Architecture, Practice, Theory, Globalization, Urbanization
How to cite this Paper (Harvard referencing style):
Carota, F. (2023) ‘Architecture Beyond Borders. Exploring the Relationship between Architectural Theory and Practice in Transnational Endeavors within the Belt and Road Initiative’, in R. Bogdanović (ed.) On Architecture — Challenges in Design, Proceedings. Belgrade, Serbia: STRAND, pp. 16–23.
See publication On Architecture (2023) Conference Proceedings