Who Are We Designing For?

Jessamine Fraser¹, Andrew Burgess¹, Megan Burfoot¹, Rachel Shearer¹, Charles Walker¹

1. Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

Published in Proceedings of the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (SASBE 2024), edited by Ali GhaffarianHoseini, Amirhosein GhaffarianHoseini, Farzad Rahimian and Mahesh Babu Purushothaman. Springer Nature, Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, volume 591, 2025, pages 1644 to 1653. DOI 10.1007/978-981-96-4051-5_156.

Abstract

Built environment research frequently reveals tensions around issues such as intensification, environmental degradation, climate adaption, community engagement, heritage preservation, or housing affordability. However, such discussions often overlook another crucial aspect of city-making processes: ethics. This paper focuses on the ethical practices of architects as key actors in this process. We are informed by insights from architects in practice as well as theoretical works from architectural theory and ethics of care to critically explore the values of architects working in the field of urban development. Drawing on Joan Tronto and Julie White’s exploration of care and justice as frameworks to understand and negotiate conflicting needs and rights, we advocate for a paradigm shift from competition to care. Incorporating Amanda Yates’ scholarship on mauri-ora and immanence ethics, this shift enables a deeper comprehension of the intricate relationships between individuals, communities, and their environment, challenging the prevailing narrative of competing urban interests. By prioritising care and embracing diverse perspectives, including indigenous and local knowledge systems, we propose strategies to navigate ethical dilemmas inherent in urban discourse. This study presents data from an empirical study of architects’ approach to ethical practices, to address a fundamental question: Who are Architects Designing For?

Keywords

Session

Presented in Track M, Saturday 9 November 2024, 16:15 to 18:15, room WA 224 A, Auckland University of Technology. Session chair Dr Esther Aigwi.

How to Cite

Fraser, J., Burgess, A., Burfoot, M., Shearer, R., & Walker, C. (2025). Who Are We Designing For?. In A. GhaffarianHoseini, A. GhaffarianHoseini, F. Rahimian, & M. B. Purushothaman (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (SASBE 2024) (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, Vol. 591, pp. 1644–1653). Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4051-5_156

About the Conference

Presented at SASBE 2024, the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, held in Auckland from 7 to 9 November 2024 and chaired by Professors Ali and Amirhosein GhaffarianHoseini, founders of GDI Academy. The version of record is published by Springer Nature; this page is the conference archive record kept by GDI Academy.