by: AIA New York
The term “inclusive” has come to encompass so much idealism, yet is so often a point of tension. Who is being included, and who makes the decision to do so? Here is where the architect can act as a sort of mediator, creating spaces where boundaries and barriers are eliminated, or at the very least considered carefully. Formerly walled off neighborhoods, institutions, or other exclusionary environments can potentially take on new identities—but does this shift make for measurable social change?
For the Winter issue of Oculus, the editors invite readers to submit 800-word op-eds or captioned visual comments exploring the topic of inclusive space: what is it today, what should it be in the future, and how should architects contribute to it? Please submit materials to editor@aiany.org by December 1.