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Globalization and Asian Architecture

Globalization and the discourse on it has overwhelmed the present era of human history. Globalization as a concept of linking diverse economies and cultures across different regions of the world is not a new phenomenon. What is new, are the scale, speed and scope of such interactions. The rapid expansion of information technology in the recent past provides immense opportunity for interaction and exchange of ideas, goods and services never possible before. The influence of these advancements pervades the total range of human activities. Very few human activity or process is free from the affect of this global linkage. Architecture is no exception.

Architecture creates the physical context -the context for working, living and support services that globalization of economy, culture and lifestyles demands. In the architects' creative endeavour towards a better built environment, globalization has given them better access to materials, technology and concepts, and has widened their opportunity to practice across national boundaries. Globalization, however, is not benign. While offering potentials for creativity and growth, globalization also poses a threat of overwhelming dimension to cultural diversity, identity, local initiatives, and above all environmental sustainability. The physical reflections of globalization on city, the context for architecture, include 'commodification' of space, erosion of the specificity of place, inequality and the quartering of urban space, and 'residualization' of social housing. Amidst apparent homogeneity, there exists a hierarchy between countries of the West and East. Even countries within Asia differ greatly in the ways they integrate into, benefit and suffer from globalization. Where such is the predicaments, as in most of Asia, globalization is a challenge.

How should the Asian architects face this challenge? How best can the Asian architects reconcile the dialectic interdependence of the global and local dimensions of architecture? In particular, should architecture embrace an uncritical appreciation of globalization for the material gains of a few elite and transnational corporations or marshal a concerted resistance against its homogenization of cultural diversity, destruction of the specificity of place and erosion of social justice? These are the moot questions for a critical discourse in the globalization-architecture nexus.

ARCASIA FORUM 12 will be an event to discuss and debate these pressing questions. ARCASIA FORUM 12 invites both general and country specific papers that would provoke thought and encourage dialogue. Authors might like to consider the following sub-themes:

Materials and Technology
Culture and Identity
Social Divide and Responsive Design
City and its Context
Practice and Pedagogy

Day 1 December 7, 2003

13:00-16:00 Registration

14:00-16:30 ARCASIA Fellowship Meeting
Venue : Dhaka Sheraton Hotel

19:00 ARCASIA Fellowship Dinner
(Attendance Fellow Members)

Day 2 December 8, 2003

9:00-17:00 Registration of Delegates
Venue : Dhaka Sheraton Hotel

10:00-10:30 Opening Ceremony

10:30-11:00 Tea Break

11:00-13:00 Working and Business Session

13:00-14:00 Lunch

14:00-16:00 Reports By National Institutes
ACAE Meeting (Parallel Session)

16:00-16:30 Tea Break

16:30-18:00 Reports By National Institutes
ACAE Meeting (Parallel Session)

18:00 Opening of Exhibition on architecture
Venue : Dhaka Sheraton Hotel

19:45 Cultural Programme

21:00 Dinner

Day 3 December 9, 2003

9:30-11:00 Reports of Working Groups
ACAE Meeting (Parallel Session)
Venue : Dhaka Sheraton Hotel

11:00-11:30 Tea Break

11:30-13:00 Report on ARCASIA Forum Matters
ACA Matters
ARCASIA Awards Programme

13:00-14:00 Lunch

14:00-16:00 ACAE Report, Highlights on ACAE meeting

16:00-16:30 Tea Break

16:30-18:00 26th Council Meeting, Closing remark
Venue : Dhaka Sheraton Hotel

18:00-19:00 Meet the Press
Venue : Dhaka Sheraton Hotel

19:30 Cultural Programme and Dinner

Day 4 December 10, 2003

9:00-17:00 Registration for Seminar
Venue : Dhaka Sheraton Hotel

10:00-11:30 Opening Ceremony
Venue: Bangladesh-China Friendship Convention Hall
Welcome Speech by President, IAB
Address by Chairman, ARCASIA
Address by Guest of Honour

10:30-11:30 Keynote Speech

11:30 Tea Break

13:00-14:00 Lunch
Venue: Dhaka Sheraton Hotel

14:00-15:30 1st Session
Venue: Dhaka Sheraton Hotel

15:30-16:00 Tea Break

16:00-17:30 2nd Session
Venue: Dhaka Sheraton Hotel

18:00 Departure for Lalbagh Fort

19:00 Cultural Programme and Dinner
Venue: Lalbagh Fort

Day 5 December 11, 2003

09:00-10:30 3rd Session
Venue: Dhaka Sheraton Hotel

10:30-11:00 Tea Break

11:00-12:30 4th Session
Venue: Dhaka Sheraton Hotel

12:30-14:00 Lunch

14:00-15:30 5th Session
Venue: Dhaka Sheraton Hotel

15:30-16:00 Tea Break

16:00-17:30 6th Session
Venue: Dhaka Sheraton Hotel

17:30-18:00 Rounding up Session by ARCASIA Chairman

19:30 Friendship Night with Dinner

Day 6 December 12, 2003

9:00-13:00 UIA/ARCASIA Workshop :
Universal Accessibility - The People Oriented Approach
Architectural Tour:
Parliament Building
Architect : Louis I. Kahn

13:00-14:00 Lunch

14:00-18:00 Afternoon Tour : Parliament Building / City Tour