Panel 1. Architecture and the Environment in Latin America: A Commitment to Sound Resource Management, Quality of Life, and the Implementation of Technologies in Professional Practice

The major challenge facing humanity with regard to the environment and the complexity of its issues is recognized as a priority, given that its impact is becoming increasingly widespread and profound: poor resource management, social inequality, food security, climate change, and the protection of life on Earth, among many others. Significant technological advances have been made by exploring and creating other possible worlds, both on a macro and micro scale, as well as by transforming and expanding the scope of architecture. In some cases, technology appears detached from the concrete reality of communities and their serious challenges; technological advancements, at times, do not provide an effective solution to social, territorial, and environmental difficulties, leaving the prospect of technology being used for the benefit of certain privileged sectors.

This roundtable focuses on fostering dialogue and reflection to promote the recognition of responsible resource management, improvements in quality of life, and the implementation of technologies across diverse contexts and regions. It aims to critically examine the scope of technological applications in architecture in order to foster a sense of social responsibility regarding their implementation and impact on the environment and communities. The scope of action for future architects must encompass all possible lines of action and research that allow for a deeper exploration of the solutions required by humanity and the planet on an environmental level.

This overview laid the groundwork for the discussion of Thematic Panel 1, beginning with the question: What role should architecture professionals play in the proper management of resources and the implementation of technologies to improve quality of life in different contexts and territories?