Introduction
When architecture is thought of, often what comes to mind are images of grandiose structures that stand tall and proud, often symbolizing the works of historical figures such as Michelangelo and Gaudi. However, when it comes to looking beyond the physical shell, architecture is so much more than the impressive aesthetic it can create. Many view architecture as a form of expression and communication, with renowned architectural theorist and urban planner Jane Jacobs famously declaring “Architecture is a social art.” Jacobs’ statement is one that resonates with many in the realm of architecture- to look beyond the form and focus on the potential impacts of a structure on the local community and environment. This article seeks to explore the notion of architecture being seen as a form of social art, and provide a further understanding of Jane Jacobs’ vision.
Background of Jacobs
Jane Jacobs was an American-Canadian journalist and writer, who made a huge impact on the world of urban planning. After working as an editor and writer for various magazines, Jacobs wrote her famous book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities. The book comprehensively details how Jacobs viewed cities, emphasizing how the shape of cities was built through a series of economic, social and cultural interconnections which had been created over time. Her work was influential in the field of urban planning, notably her belief that neighbourhoods should be sustained and valued. Her book, and Jacobs’ work as a whole, encouraged cities to rethink their urban development plans, ultimately enabling the preservation of communities.
The Potential of Architecture
Jacobs was a firm believer that urban environments should blend together in harmony to form neighbourhoods, which she believed was the only way to truly sustain a happy, healthy neighbourhood. Her statement in regards to architecture being a social art, implies that infrastructure and design should also be included in this mix. Taking this notion, it could be argued that architecture should be considered as a way of contributing to a neighbourhood’s social, economic and cultural vibrancy.
The research of respected architectural theorist and designer, Robert McDaniels, suggests that infrastructure and design play a powerful role in stimulating opportunity for individuals and helping to address inequality in a community. In his article, The Role of Architecture in Fostering Equity & Opportunity: What Can Architects Do?, he discusses the potential of architecture to create a sense of community, increase civic participation, bring positive gain to marginalised individuals, and contribute to the re-definition of identity in communities.
Design and Community
This brings to mind the idea that architecture is not just a physical entity, but also an emotional one. This can be seen in the growing trend of placemaking, often referred to as “designing neighborhoods by having creative methods of involving people to build a sense of community and identify.” Placemaking brings together artists, activists, engineers and community groups in order to generate inspiring, artistic interventions that can create a sense of ownership and pride from individuals in a neighbourhood.
In particular, grassroots movements are making a difference by using innovative approaches in marginalised neighbourhoods in order to generate hope. One such example is in the community of Detroit, where a group led by design-focused organisation, Living Underground, is reviving the place by tackling neglected areas of the city with artistic interventions. The aim of the project is to demonstrate the potential of public space interventions to transform urban areas, to build communities and create a sense of pride in them.
The Role of Government
In addition to grassroots movements, it is possible to further look at the potential of architecture as social art by considering the role of governments in it. In their 2017 report, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality in South Africa conducted a study on architecture and provided tangible examples of how it can have an impact on societies. They discussed the importance of architecture and planning in creating a sense of wellbeing, and mentioned the need for research coupled with collaboration with other professionals to truly understand the complexities of peoples’ needs. The report stated that “the possibilities offered by jointly planning, designing and constructing urban environments” enable government bodies to really assess what the local public needs, and how the architecture of their city can create something more than just a physical structure- it can create a piece of art with meaning and significance that can bring people together.
Social Connections
Beyond government, there are a few other ways in which architecture can be seen as a social art. For instance, by bringing communities together and recognising how individuals are connected to their environment. In a study conducted by the Centre for Urban Design and Mental Health, 78% of interviewees stated that living spaces have an important role in improving mental health. The report highlights the importance of creating social connections through architecture, by encouraging people to form meaningful relationships to their environment and understanding that they are a part of the city, rather than an outsider.
The beauty of architecture is that it can be used as an effective tool to bring people together, and even create deeper connections in a community. Well-designed spaces can potentially become “social hubs”, where people can find both practical and emotive comfort. This supports the notion that if buildings are used to unite, support and facilitate interaction, this could be seen as a form of art.
Creating New Opportunities
Further to this, architecture, alongside the public realm, has the potential to create opportunities and give people the chance to grow and develop. This is done by catering for the needs of individuals. For instance, in an article by the Arts Council England, universities and higher learning institutions are discussed as “cultural recipients of a city’s design and public realm initiatives.” When architecture is incorporated with the public realm, this can create a harmonious mesh of different attractions, from parks and museums to galleries and performance spaces; allowing individuals to explore the city in its entirety.
Preserving Communities’ Legacy
When considering the notion of architecture being used as a way of bridging connections and creating new opportunities, it is also important to think of preserving the old in order to honour the past. Preserving a community’s identity is a significant part of creating a sense of security and belonging. This is especially relevant in the field of heritage and preservation – when considering the renovation and renovation of a building, architects should appreciate the surroundings and attempt to re-create the past by using traditional building techniques, materials, patterns and other local features.
In the case of sustainable cities, such as Singapore, the importance of making sure the architectural proposal does not block out the city’s history is vital. In these cases, developments should focus on blending in with the existing heritage, preserving and subtly enhancing them in order to honour its legacy. Preserving the city’s identity is fundamental in creating a powerful narrative, not just for a single individual, but a society as a whole.
Community Regeneration
In furthering Jane Jacobs’ idea of using architecture as a form of social art, it can also be used as a tool for transformation and regeneration of neglected neighbourhoods. This is particularly relevant in the realm of urban design, which focuses on the collective ownership of places, rather than just the physical structure itself. Architects working in this field attempt to design places that bring the community together and create an atmosphere of collective consciousness and strength.
This can be seen through the UK’s FACT project, which stands for ‘Facilitating Access to Creative Transformations’, a collaborative urban regeneration project with help from local authorities, universities and charities. Through these programs, communities are able to benefit from education, safe spaces and morphologically sustainable environments as well as increased opportunities through workshops and training.
Technological Advantages
Finally, one cannot look at the concept of architecture being treated as a social art without considering the advantages of technology in allowing architects to bring this vision to life. Technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) allow architects to visualize their projects and bring meaning to the designs. Through these tools, the design process is able to become experiential, allowing those involved to virtually walk through the model, making it much easier to design, create, and showcase their vision of architecture being a social art, for all to see.
Current State of Architecture as Social Art
Although Jane Jacobs’ idea of architecture being a social art has clear merits, it should also be noted that this vision has not been fully realised in all cases. For example, although it is generally encouraged for architects and urban planners to create places that are inclusive, diverse and accessible, this is not always the case in all cities around the world.
In many cities, such as those in the Global South and South East Asian region, there is an underlying issue of marginalization and inequality, meaning that certain resources are not available to certain groups or individuals. These unequal scales are further exacerbated by the vast divide between the urban and rural, as well as the regional levels. This has not been aided predominantly by architecture, which is often seen to serve the privileged and the elite, further demonstrating a ‘lack of social art’ in their design.
Conclusion of Jacobs Original Vision
In conclusion, it is clear to see that architecture has the potential to be seen as a social art, however, much of this vision is yet to be realised. To this end, more needs to be done in order to ensure that architecture primarily serves the people, is inclusive and fostering collaboration and community building. Jane Jacobs’ belief that architecture could be used to bring people together and create meaningful relationships to their environment is a powerful one, and one that has certainly had an influence on the way in which cities are designed over the years. Despite the many problems that remain in cities around the world, Jacobs’ view of architecture as a social art is a valid one that certainly has many merits and could be an effective tool for creating sustainable and equitable cities in the future.
