The 25th International Union of Architects World Congress of Architects, UIA 2014 Durban, will be held at the International Convention Centre in Durban from 3-7 August 2014. This is the first time that this Congress is being held in Southern Africa and 6000 delegates are expected from around the world.

The Congress will bring together architects, design and built environment professionals, pioneers in urban planning and thinking, activists, city makers, academics and researchers, students, Government officials, decision makers and thought leaders, citizens and communities – to debate and discuss alternative strategies for the design and delivery of more habitable, functional and beautiful cities.

The Congress theme, ‘architecture OTHERWHERE’, will celebrate diversity by exploring other communities, other regions, other disciplines, and other ways of thinking about, practicing and teaching architecture. The intention is to acknowledge the built environment as a major force that may be harnessed towards a better life for all – through the sub-themes RESILIENCE, ECOLOGY and VALUES.

There will be a series of keynote panel debates and academic discussions, as well as present keynote addresses. The line-up includes renowned international personalities, as well as local specialists and professionals.

International keynote presenters include Susannah Drake (USA), 2013 Pritzker Architecture Prize-winner, Toyo Ito (Japan), Francis Kéré (Burkina Faso), Rahul Mehrotra (India), Joe Osae-Addo (Ghana), Gerardo Salinas (Mexico), Cameron Sinclair (USA) and 2012 Pritzker Architecture Prize-winner, Wang Shu (China).  Sindile Ngonyama and Wally Serote will fly the flag for South Africa.

A number of parallel sessions at the ICC will cover specific areas of focus that relate to the Congress theme and intentions. These include the role of Built Environment Professionals in Spatial Transformation; Sustainable Human(e) Settlements; Housing and Healthcare (sustainable architecture under conditions of change); Open Building; and Addressing Informality through Design Education and Practice.

An extensive Student Programme, convened with the assistance of local Architectural students, forms an integral part of the main event, offering young professionals of the future the opportunity to meet and engage with students and professionals from around the world.

Running alongside the Congress, delegates will be able to explore Durban in new and unexpected ways, through a broad range of Fringe Events, UIA2014 Parallel Projects, exhibitions, film screenings, tours and walkabouts, cultural events, social and networking activities. These events will be open to the people of Durban to share in and experience.

Open to the public, a Trade Expo in the Durban Exhibition Centre (DEC), promises to offer the latest product developments, technological innovations, and service offerings in the world of architecture and design.

For more information or to register for the Congress visit

www.uia2014durban.org/