Alejandro Aravena has become the first architect, who received the Gothenburg Award for Sustainable Development.
The winner of 2016 Pritzker Prize, Alejandro Aravena is a Chilean architect and innovator, who together with his colleagues in the “Do-Tank” Elemental applies a design philosophy, according to which the residents are part of the solution, not part of the problem. It implies the establishment of bridges of trust between people, government and business, according to the Award’s website.
As the jury’s decision notes, the need for affordable quality housing is great now and will grow in the future. According to forecasts, in 20 years, the urban population will exceed 6 billion people, of them 2 billion will live below the poverty line.
In these circumstances, innovative approaches to the design of cities will be crucial for sustainable development.
The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on November 22 in Gothenburg.
