PAUSE! We need a time-out for fitting construction into planetary boundaries

When 8.11.2024 14:30 – 17:30

Where Aalto Hall

Registration period:
13.9.2024 – 30.10.2024

Event language
English

Humanity is facing a target conflict: We should build some 2 billion new homes, while cutting down 90% of the greenhouse gas emissions of the built environment. Already today, half of annually extracted raw materials are used in construction. As 90% of biodiversity loss is associated to the extraction of raw materials, there is an unpleasant connection between the destruction of the homes of non-humans, while housing humans in a safe and secure manner.

In addition, the turbulence of the climate change may bring strong sea level rise, or cause sea currents to collapse. These, in turn, would have a dramatic impact to populations of all creatures on our home planet. We are calling a time-out for construction, until we find ways of building within the planetary boundaries. Is it possible to find a just and fair future for all life? Who can or has to decide on the division of resources? What can architects do?

Graphic design: Mai Multimäki
Organising team: Matti Kuittinen, Panu Savolainen, Maija Kenttämies, Nona Linnanmäki, Mai Multimäki, Anni Partanen, Eeva Rosenqvist, Venla Varkila