Challenges of architecture in globalization

A summary paper (week 2 and 3)

Author/s: Reymond R. Canezo
Professional Practice 3 (ARC 514) CEAT-01- 902P
Rizal Technological University, Mandaluyong, Philippines
[email protected]

Abstract: The age of globalization has challenged the practices of architecture around the
world, as the new age is facing the pressure between the forces of globalization. It
has been a widely wrangled as an apprehending drift of the present moment, and its
impact on local Architecture to ensure local identity and speciality through
Architecture. Where globalization is seen as a multidimensional phenomenon,
globalization is a strong aspect especially in the 21st century of architecture.
However it is not all good for all practices, because as said, globalization has an
impact. Architect’s often finds themselves in between the opposing existing forces.
As a result local Architecture finds themselves under the global Architecture
together with their associated cultural values and their methods of expression.

Keywords: Globalization, globalization forces, cultural values, culture, practices, architecture,

trends.

Introduction
Abrupt urbanization and technological advances took place in more and more standardization of
construct environments, tricking out of those of the human habitats of cultural and regional
identity, in which the trend of standardization is becoming an international malaise as the same
building methods, materials, and styles are applied. According to (Anthony D King) global culture
are never static, globalization changes from day to day according to different development. Thus,
the art of building is forever high on the agenda of many of the conferences and community group
meetings searching for new methods and concepts that could lead to better and more equitable
cities. Planners soon followed the academic interest and tried to explore ways and means of
promoting cities city regions to world cities, followed in turn by the architects, analysing and
criticizing the negative local and regional impact of such globalization.

Places also exist not only in physical world but only in peoples mind as memories. The identity of a
specific place becomes interesting and remarkable when it brings about a certain experience,
evoking associations or memories. In this context, I’ll try addressing globalization as a
distinguishing trend of the present moment and its consequences on the architecture in some other
countries representing both the positive and the negative potential of globalization while
encouraging the importance of adopting the advanced technology into sensitive projects that
reflects the local culture and are linked to the global forces.

Globalization forces in architecture

Metropolises and regions are fronting great trials as consequences of globalization. The word
globalization was devised in the latter half of the 20 th century, but the time and its perceptions did
not flood widespread consciousness up until the end half of the 1980’s. Helping as a platitude of the
decade, the occurrence of globalization has fascinated more significant global devotion than
perhaps any other matter in recent memory, yet the term is used in so many different contexts, by
so many different people, for so many different purposes.

The pressure amongst anti-global and pro-global forces has long existed, with two contrasting
services affecting architecture globalization. One force pursues safeguard and broadcast
established native architectural traditions, forms, decorative motifs, and technologies. It supports
historical continuity, cultural variety, and protection of identity. The other force encourages
inventions and propagations of new forms by new technologies and materials in reaction to
changing functional requirements and sensibilities. For certain, globalizations bring about the
Westernization of the world. Some grasp globalization as a causing growing homogeneity, while
other sees it as a generating diversity and heterogeneity through amplified hybridization.

Worldwide alteration signifies a new class of complications that harshly challenges our capacity to
attain sustainable development. While we’re still looking for our idea about the identity of our local
architecture, the international architecture is slowly intruding our local architecture. These
complications are basically nonlinear in action and discontinuous in both their spatial construction
temporal behavior. Stand-in in the current age includes understanding the medium of global and
local forces, of authority and confrontation, and of a state of rapid change and boundless
transformation that is conveyed about by the universal reformation of capital and multidimensional
effects if trends and new expertise.

Trends

In an on-going dialogue between architects and society, architects consider globalization a

distinguishing trend of the present moment, whereas theorist sees it either as a positive vehicle of
progress and diversity or a force of insipid homogenization and destruction. Architectural
addresses our meta-physical, philosophical, and cultural identities within a material context. It
challenges us to look into our history and, therefore, at architecture in a new way. Professional
global project benefactor comprises government using architecture for allegory, firms employing
architecture for communal tenacities and product identification, and enthusiastic, at times self-
righteous, architect’s agitates their own philosophies.

To develop our findings about both globalizations’ influence on architecture as a raging topic of
discussion in recent years and its impact, we should study the technological changes and their
consequences on the modern movements of architecture that resulted in our contemporary built
environment, where architectural history indicates that changes in architectural styles have been
brought about by advancement in technology and consequently, philosophy.
Place Identity

In the last couple of years, globalization has developed a tagline in architecture related with a losing
of place identity. There appears to be a common accord that identity plays a notable role for the
steadiness of man’s culture. Place identity is drawing increasing attention from both planners and
architects, as well as in social-science study. The expression “place identity” carries several diverse
dimensions such as physical size, touchable versus figurative, and well-known and qualified versus
anonymous or not qualified. Place too comprises that which impacts the meaning occupants give to
it over personal, social and cultural procedures.

The impression of place identity reinforces the combined sense of cultural identification with a
specific building and its design structures. This concept reflects the discussion around decision with
respect to buildings and the causes of architectural elements used in the design task or building. It
indicates that there are crucial natural characteristics that recognize a place and that, in effect,
these are latent and deprived of structure but can be at large by a sensitive design result.

Local Architecture

For example the building environment of Arab cities within the Mideast has undergone major
transformations, where the last twenty years have witnessed numerous scientific achievements
that have resulted in significant fundamental changes to architecture. because of the forced pace
modernization, the conflict between the normal values and imported ideas has been quite sharp in
some countries, and recently the resulting resentment gave rise to fundamentalist movements. In
turn, it's largely influenced the indigenous values of architecture. Dramatic change and
innovation are a part of modernity for hundreds of years, as has technological development and
expansion. Yet these phenomena, bound up with globalization in its current phase, have created
enough novelties to want a rethinking of social theory and politics within the current situation as a
response to new developments in society and culture.

Architects working within the cognitive state of their rational dreams produce

architecture that's universally applicable but is lacking truth and relevance, because it
is not supported by a corresponding cultural identity. For a small number of philosophers and
designers, globalization is perceived as a course of standardization contained by which a globalized
means and consumer culture socialize the world, forming “sameness” in all places, hence bringing
to light the bland and dull universality in modern projects.
Opportunities Threats

Heritage consciousness New forms imported

Adopting new technology Using technology
Linking local and global Acting globally
Place consideration Anywhere worldwide
Regionalism International
Tradition, culture Modernization
Homogenization juxtapositions

Conclusion
Metropolises are a massive test bed of trial and error. Cities are also developing increasingly
similar, or at least challenged with related complications and projections all over the world. As we
slide through the 21st century, architecture in Arab countries will still seems to be changing
concerning to the adoptions of western models, as a vehicle handing over notion of modernism,
affluence, and efficiency, and a return to traditional historical and vernacular models as a statement
of national pride, confirming and conveying the country’s heritage.

In the realm of architecture, the fight between globalization and anti-globalizing forces will remain,
as it has for centuries. Even a hundred years from now, nations like Egypt, Italy, and France will
hold onto their traditional architectural appeal and will still be worth going to, irrespective of which
force win through.
References

Ibrahim Mostafa Eldemery, Journal of Architectural and Planning Research, Vol. 26, No. 4, Theme
Issue: Work Beyond Boundaries (Winter, 2009), pp. 343-354

Architect Aristides N. de Paz, WEEK 2A FOR STREAMING (2020). Week2A. Available at:
https://classroom.google.com/c/MTU1NTM5ODI2MDg0/p/MTc4MTc5NjIwMTAx/details (Accessed: 29
September 2020).

Architect Aristides N. de Paz, WEEK 2B FOR STREAMING (2020). Week2B. Available at:
https://classroom.google.com/c/MTU1NTM5ODI2MDg0/p/MTc4ODAxMTcxOTM2/details (Accessed: 30
September 2020).