The UIA2024KL International Forum theme was DIVERSECITY - an encapsulation of two words: diversity and city.
Taking Kuala Lumpur as a starting point as a multicultural Asian city through the lens of cultural identity, the forum aimed to look for an updated understanding on the notion of cultural identity which gained visibility and expression with the advent of modernism and the initiation of a globalised culture of architectural communication in the twentieth century.
The UIA2024KL forum intended to reflect on cultural identity as a deep text of architectural thought; how it reflects into the city’s diversity and aims at finding new definitions of cultural identity in a period when architecture and cities are faced with new environmental, climate, social, and economic challenges threatening social coherence.
A RIBA delegation led by RIBA President Muyiwa Oki, RIBA Chief Executive Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick, and Partnerships Manager Emmanuelle Meunier, attended.
The forum included exciting talks about how cultural iconography paints a picture of a city's identity, history and values; how architects can design spaces that respect and celebrate cultural diversity; and how policy and governance can be effective in managing a wide range of cultural, ethnic, social, and economic diversity that contribute to vibrancy and resilience of city life in urban areas.
About the UIA
The International Union of Architects (UIA) founded in 1948 and based in Paris, is a federation of national professional organisations working to unify architects, influence public policies and advance architecture in service to the needs of society.
About the Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) — Malaysian Institute of Architects
PAM is the national professional institute representing architects in Malaysia. PAM’s mission statement is "To promote the advancement of architecture and the architectural profession for the betterment of society".
Originally founded in 1923, as the Institute of Architects Malaya, they became allies with RIBA in 1948 (while named Federation of Malaya Society of Architects.) They became PAM to reflect national sovereignty on 20 January 1967, and was registered with the Registrar of Societies.
Designing with people and nature in mind
On Sunday 17 November, after a keynote lecture from Kai Uwe Bergmann, Partner of Bjarke Ingles Group (BIG), RIBA President Muyiwa Oki, participated in a panel discussion with Seah Chee Huang, CEO of DP Architects, Singapore, on the topic of "Designing with people and nature in mind: creating spaces that accommodate cultural diversity that seeks to integrate the needs of different user groups and respect the natural environment"
2024 Global Architecture Exchange (GAE) – Advocating for social justice and sustainable practices
In connection with the UIA 2024 International Forum’s theme DIVERSECITY and the 2024 World Architecture Day’s theme ‘Empowering the next generation in participatory urban design’, during this in-person GAE session, each speaker provided examples of how ‘advocating for social justice and sustainable practices’ translates in their countries, be it through government policies, initiatives developed by their national institutes, or through their own projects and designs. They also explored how societies can be transformed so that they are more inclusive, equitable and resilient in the face of current and future challenges.
Learn more about social justice and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The session included speakers from:
- Australia: Jane Cassidy, FRAIA SFHEA AIA Hon. GAICD, National President, Australian Institute of Architects; GHD APAC Service Line Leader Architecture & Design; Director, GHD Design Pty Ltd
- Brazil: Patricia Sarquis Herden, President Council of Architecture and Urbanism in Brazil
- Brazil: Leila Marques, Architect and Urban Planner at CEFET/RJ; Federal Councillor of Council of Architecture and Urbanism in Brazil
- Canada: Jason Robbins, Lead Architect AECOM
- China: Prof. Zhang Jie, Professor of School of Architecture, Tsinghua University
- Ireland: Dr Selma Harrington, MRIAI HonAIA, Founding principal of the award winning New European Bauhaus Forum Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Ireland: Fionnuala Rogerson, Principal of Fionnuala Rogerson Architects
- South Korea: Joori Chun, Founder, Creative Director 9DIRECTORS AND COMPANY; Adjunct Professor Kookmin University & Architect
- Malaysia: Syahril Nizam Kamaruddin, Principal and Director at Veritas Architects
- New Zealand: Whare Timu, Principal and Senior Design Lead, Warren and Mahoney Architects
- UK: Muyiwa Oki, RIBA President 2023-2025; Architect, Mace Group
This session was recorded and will be available to watch soon.
The GAE are a series of talks which aim to deliver sessions on topic relevant and common to all and explore how the same challenges are dealt with in different parts of the world. This year's session was organised and delivered in partnership with the Australian Institute of Architects; the Council of Architecture and Urbanism in Brazil ; the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada; The Architectural Society of China; The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland; the Korean Institute of Architects; Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia; the New Zealand Institute of Architects; and the Royal Institute of British Architects.
RIBA Members Malaysia - Meet RIBA event
On 17 November, we organised a Meet RIBA President event.
RIBA is always keen to engage and grow its international communities and encourage activities internationally. This event was an opportunity for RIBA Members based in Malaysia, to (re) connect with RIBA, hear about RIBA’s Strategic Priorities and plans in the region, and network with other RIBA Members. It was also an opportunity for us to hear about their experience as a RIBA Member based in Malaysia.
We have nearly 200 members in Malaysia (Chartered and students) and we validate three programmes of architecture and it was fantastic to meet our members in person, and discuss a potential a RIBA Chapter in Malaysia.
The agenda for the evening included:
- Welcome remarks and RIBA Strategic Priorities - Muyiwa Oki, RIBA President
- RIBA in Malaysia / Chapter opportunity – Emmanuelle Meunier, Partnerships Manager
- Asia and Australasia Region – Ruffina Thilakaratne, International Council Member Asia & Australasia
- Being a RIBA Member in Malaysia, feedback from 2 members: Martin Haeger MBE, Director, HL Architecture; YeeHui Khoo, Y.H Khoo and Sons and Co
- Open discussion/ Question and Answer session
- Networking
Our next steps will be to set up a steering group and start planning activities in Malaysia.
