Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion by Geeta Mehta (Asia Initiatives)

online lecture:
Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
by Geeta Mehta (Asia Initiatives)

Saturday, August 28, 2021 @10:00 JST (09:30 to 10:00: TEST SESSION)

SUMMARY:
Since architecture and urban design are social acts, she believes that they must have a social purpose. However, the current model of hyper-capitalism is forcing developers and architects to create buildings only with the financial bottom line in mind. This is depleting the social and ecological capital of communities and cities. Geeta will discuss how cities and neighborhoods can be designed to strengthen the social capital of communities. Good design should promote equity, diversity and inclusion. Housing, infrastructure and public spaces can be designed to empower every one, irrespective of income, age and gender, to achieve their potential. Geeta is a strong advocate for triple-bottom-line accounting for all large architectural, urban design, and infrastructure projects. Besides the environment impact statement required before projects are approved, she also proposes a requirement for social impact statements. She will discuss how the focus on Social Capital leads to increase in financial and ecological capital also, and happiness.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
After participating in this lecture-discussion, attendees will be able to:

1. Learn about the impact architecture and urban design can have on equity, diversity and inclusivity.
2. Learn about triple bottom line accounting for projects to strengthen social, ecological and financial capital outcomes.
3. Learn about good and bad examples of the built environment, and their outcomes for communities.
4. Learn about and from ‘social engineering’ projects in Japanese and Western history

CES:
2.0 LU/HSW for AIA Members