Today is National Architect and Urban Planner Day in Brazil. Since 2018, Law 13,627/2018 has officially established this date on the Brazilian calendar. The day was chosen to honor architect Oscar Niemeyer on his birthday, and also commemorates the founding of the Council of Architecture and Urbanism (CAU).
This celebration is also an opportunity to highlight the vital role of architecture and urban planning in improving quality of life across Brazilian cities. It also highlights the complexity of a profession that encompasses a wide diversity of practices, is constantly questioning itself, is learning to recognize other masters beyond those historically established in the field, and is seeking new ways of self-reflection and learning from other sectors of society.
The paths forward in architecture and urban planning are diverse and interdisciplinary, requiring us to address all spheres—both public and private, beyond the constraints of capital or social status. Indeed, as 2022 Pritzker Prize laureate Francis Kéré notes, building for someone means building for more than just that individual; our actions affect many others, impact the local environment, and consume significant resources.
Striving to build a more just society through spatial thinking is no easy task and can often feel thankless. However, as Oscar Niemeyer, the architect honored today, once said, "We have to dream, otherwise things don't happen." May we also dream and fulfill the aspirations that define this profession.
Lastly, we wish a Happy Day to all architects and urban planners in Brazil. We also want to thank our readers for allowing us to daily share projects, articles, news, and events through a vast and carefully curated selection of content designed to inspire and provide tools for a better future in the cities we inhabit, and consequently, for their residents.
This article was written by Victor Delaqua. The translation is powered by AI.
