Essay Sample on Architects: Designing for Justice in Marginalized Populations

Introduction

Architecture and design are an essential profession in the development of a society. Architects' primary role is to ensure that people live in a safe environment. They thus oversee the designs and implementation of the projects to ensure that the final result is safe and in line with the professional requirements. Besides design and safety, architecture and design have a moral obligation of ensuring justice prevails in the marginalized populations primarily through architectural projects. There are several ways through which architecture and design help in dealing with the problem injustices amongst the marginalized community. Some of these ways include the building, development, and construction of affordable housing for the marginalized, practicing, and implementation of the community design that focuses on the needs of the marginalized and being at the forefront while advocating and promoting increased economic and social equality as well as civil rights. The paper examines the significant contributions of architecture and design in the realm of justice towards the marginalized population.

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The aged in Canada forms a significant number of the marginalized population. According to the statistical figures of the housing and population census, the seniors aged 65 years and above in Canada were approximately six million, which represents about 15.6 percent of the entire population (Meng, & D'arcy, 2014). Additionally, the 2030 population projections indicate that the aged population will be approximately 9.5 million which by then will probably translate to about 23 percent of the entire population (Meng, & D'arcy, 2014). The figures of this marginalized group cannot be ignored in architecture and design. The architectural move to implement and oversee the development of the green building incorporates this marginalized population in the event. The evolution of the green building in the architecture and design is one of the ways through which the discipline addresses the aspect of social justice amongst the marginal population, especially the aged. Most people take green building initiatives to mean the use of environmentally and resource-friendly approaches in architecture and design. However, the community, materials and the quality of the environment are the vital elements of the green building. In as much as it works to assist in the implementation of projects that conserve the environment for the future, it keeps in mind the specific needs of the aged primarily through the installation of the design features that makes life easier for the aged. Some of these features include fitting houses with solar systems and solar-powered devices, which not only save the environment but also ensure unlimited energy supply for the aged. Therefore, the green building initiative is an essential element of how architecture and design help in enhancing justice for the marginalized population.

The recent move in an attempt to deal with the problem of social injustices for the marginalized population is the implementation of socially sensitive projects. Some of the delicate social needs of the aged in a community are proper lighting systems to help with their sight problems (Raphael, 2009). Most of the aged also suffer from muscular-related ailments such as temporary or permanent immobility, inability to carry out activities requiring lots of bending or lifting heavy objects. Therefore, architecture and design help in coming up with environmental and housing projects that address the specific needs of this population. One of the notable implementations is the installation of ramps in buildings as opposed to the use of staircases. The slopes make it easier for the elderly to walk and navigate within a building. Additionally, the design of the projects nowadays is in such a way that they address unsustainability and inequality in the ownership of the built-up environment. The critical area of focus is ensuring that the architecture and design promote the development of the environment in that it serves and is under the control of the society as a whole as opposed to an abled minority group. Thus, the architecture and design address injustices issues for the marginalized group through socially sensitive projects.

Architecture and design ensure justice for the marginalized through the incorporation of the concept of universal design in the building and construction. Universal design refers to the architectural strategy and plan that strives to ensure that the developments in the environment are in such a way that it is accessible to all in the population regardless of the social status or class (Capp, 2017). The primary goal of universal design is to create an environment in terms of buildings, products, and other structures that support justice for the marginalized. Universal design has seven vital principles. The first and most essential principle among the seven is the principle of equitable use. Thus, the focal point for the universal design is justice for the marginalized population through equitability in architecture and design. An example of the universal designs is in the construction of the residential buildings that the rates are slightly lower so that the poor and marginalized can afford it. The universal design works closely with the affordable housing projects that most governments are implementing to alleviate the problem of homelessness in crowded cities. One of the critical aspects of universal design is its ability to override the special requirements in the design and construction that seeks to serve only a few minority groups (Preiser, 2008). Therefore, architecture and design help in addressing the injustice of the marginalized group through universal design.

Architecture and design advocates for the needs of the marginalized through the universal design in numerous other ways. According to Carr, Weir, Azar, & Azar (2013), there have been significant demographic shifts in life expectancy with the aging population slowly increasing. The trend in the aging population means that it is critically important for the architecture and design to shift and move with the waves. Therefore, architecture and designs device ways through the universal design that encourages the aged to take part in productive as well as social activities. Universal designs help in the construction of global spaces that work best with the aged. These spaces or facilities are essential in that they increase productivity amongst the marginalized aged population without necessarily calling for specialized equipment that would instead come with increased costs. An example of the universal design component for the aged is the lever handles faucets that make work easier and thus reduces stigmatization in the marginalized group. Essential principles of universal design that enhance comfort include the equitability in the use of a project, flexibility, and simplicity in the application and low demand on the physical efforts (Carr, Weir, Azar, & Azar, 2013). Therefore, architecture and design help in creating a comfortable environment for the elderly and the marginalized through universal design.

Generally, the aged population in Canada are people who have relatively low or no regular income. They depend upon retirement benefits and help from family members for their survival. It is relatively expensive for the aged at this point to afford specific housing programs. The architecture and design help in addressing income irregularity through the development and construction of affordable housing for the marginalized (Raphael, 2009). Architects and designers help in the development of project designs that address the specific needs of the marginalized group, while at the same time being cost-sensitive. Some of such projects are the affordable housing projects that most countries in the world are implementing to help in the reduction of the problem of homelessness in society. Nonetheless, architecture and designs' primary goal is to ensure the implementation of community project designs that concentrate on the needs of the marginalized. These needs could be in terms of financial, social, or cultural status.

Despite the many ways through which architecture and design enhance justice for the marginalized group, there are some opposing forces for their implementation and effective performance. People who oppose the application of the universal design in the architecture and design state that the universal design models and structures are relatively expensive in comparison to the typical designs. They state that the application of the architecture and design in the development of the equitable shelters and projects for the aged is relatively time-consuming since some of the components of the universal design are specific and unique. However, the reality is that the universal design is as simple and cost-effective as the traditional forms of design. Universal design is way much better due to their ability to meet the specific needs of a marginalized population, for example, that of the aged. Therefore, it is critically vital for architecture and design to incorporate the concept of the universal design to enhance justice and equity for the marginalized population.

Conclusion

In conclusion, architecture and design help in advocating for justice for the marginalized group in numerous ways. It enhances the design and construction of affordable projects that serve the marginalized especially the aged effectively. It also opens possibilities for the design and implementation of the community design that are sensitive to the needs of the marginalized. Architecture and design advocates for justice for the aged through the introduction and implementation of the green building, enhancing the development of socially and economically sensitive structures in the environment and incorporation of the concept of universal design. All these works together to ensure increased economic and social equality as well as civil rights amongst the aged in Canada, which constitutes the majority of the marginalized population.

References

Capp, M. J. (2017). The effectiveness of universal design for learning: a meta-analysis of literature between 2013 and 2016. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 21(8), 791-807.

Carr, K., Weir, P. L., Azar, D., & Azar, N. R. (2013). Universal design: A step toward successful aging. Journal of aging research, 2013.

Meng, X., & D'arcy, C. (2014). Successful aging in Canada: prevalence and predictors from a population-based sample of older adults. Gerontology, 60(1), 65-72.

Preiser, W. F. (2008). Universal design: From policy to assessment research and practice. International Journal of Architectural Research, 2(2), 78-93.

Raphael, S. (2009). A Wider View of Social Justice. Retrieved on 2020, March 10 from https://www.buildinggreen.com/blog/wider-view-social-justice