Call for Manifestos: Thoughts on a National Architecture Policy for Canada

In January and February, representatives from three student initiatives at the School of Architecture attended “CAFE”s – Canadian Architecture Forums on Education – to discuss the role of architectural education and research in Canada. BRIDGE/Common Waters (represented by myself), Treaty Lands Global Stories (by Amina Lalor) and the Sustainability Collective (by Devin Arndt and Nicole Rak) participated in discussions will inform the development of an architecture policy for Canada, incorporating the perspectives of students, educators, Indigenous leaders, practicing designers and researchers. 

So what is an architecture policy and why now? 

A national architecture policy is, as described by the CAFE initiative, an “aspirational document”. It is qualitative, visionary, and puts forwards long-term goals. A national policy discusses the social and cultural role of architecture, as well as its position in climate change and decolonization. These guidelines are a contrast to the more quantitative and formulaic standards outlined by the building code. 

Thirty countries have already developed national policies and and can be accessed here.

Canada undoubtedly faces many spatial challenges that are tied to our unique context as well as common globally. How do we move forward in our practice when urban growth and colonial frameworks have severed relationships between First Nations communities and land? Is one national policy a way forward, when we recognize that our country in fact constitutes many Nations? Where do we stand as facilitators in our community as well as facilitators within supply chains of building construction and development? What impact can we have on sustainable practice and legislation? More relevantly, how do we navigate our architectural position in the context of a pandemic, where fragilities in our urban spaces and networks are highlighted, and the way we work has indefinitely changed?

I was fortunate to be one of the delegates to attend CAFE Prairie, which was hosted by the University of Manitoba on February 29th. This CAFE was one of five that took place (CAFE Atlantic, CAFE Quebec, CAFE Ontario and CAFE West).  The day began and was grounded by the Nation-to-Nation discussion, which opened with a smudge and song ceremony led by the Kind Hart Women singers. The following presentations and panel discussion brought together unique perspectives from different First Nations communities on contemporary architecture practice and education. Some of the ideas that emerged from this conversation between architects, activists, researchers, artists and educators were the recognition of existing spatial and design practices across different First Nations communities, our collective responsibility to land, the inherent colonial nature of our practice, and architecture’s role in fostering relationships. Additionally, how can Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples unite over “common concerns”, such as water, land and the lives of future generations?

After the second series of presentations by students, educators, architects and planners, which included a presentation by BRIDGE on the importance of community engagement in architectural education, the delegates divided up into groups to discuss the CAFE’s larger themes: Place, People, Prosperity and Potential. A summary of these discussions can be found here, under “CAFE Conversations”.

The closing remarks of the CAFE emphasized the overall optimism of the event, but acknowledged that the thoughts shared in the room on February 29th had made a number of issues clearer and more urgent. There are still inevitably many, many more conversations to be had. 

I am writing this article reflecting on a series of events that happened before the declaration of the pandemic, when a number of groups came together to discuss matters of concern for architects. We now face another battle that is both entirely new yet bringing to light specific frictions in the issues outlined above. In considering all these things, CAFE is calling anyone (students, practicing architects, professors) to contribute their thoughts towards a national policy. 

These thoughts are to submitted as manifestos – submissions can be in a variety of formats, more information here. The final deadline is May 15, 2020. Selected manifestos will be considered for future publications and exhibitions on behalf of the CAFE initiative.

As many of us grapple with thoughts around today’s uncertainties, perhaps some of those reflections can be directed towards a call to think differently.