Architecture, contrary to popular belief, is not merely about designing, paving land and constructing buildings. A cardinal principle, is reconciling cities and the people who inhabit those cities. In an effort to better understand the relationship between architecture and habitats, Architectural Practice and FULLDES spoke with Aedas Global Design Principal Ken Wai’s for his professional insights.
Development of high-density cities in China is inevitable, especially when industries continue to develop. With more and more people moving to the core cities, the question should be how this densification will affect old towns, and how to refashion them to meet new demands. To alleviate the immense pressure it imposes on cities, COD (Community-Oriented Development) – premised on TOD (Transit-Oriented Development), is seen as the optimal solution. Wai said, the purpose of TOD is to corral and centralize functions between cities, and this can only be done by holding communities’ interests in mind.
When asked about the future of Aedas and the architecture industry at large, Wai responded that it largely depends on the future generation. That is why Aedas works with universities in China, to nurture young architects, in the hopes of one day they could be part of the team.
Read the articles on Architectural Practice and FULLDES.
