![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 1 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/4893/63c0/17bc/c900/0bd2/newsletter/plaza_de_la_republica.jpg?1601587337)
World Architecture Day, celebrated on the first Monday of every October, was set up by the Union International des Architects (UIA) back in 2005 to “remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat”, coinciding with UN-Habitat's World Habitat Day.
To mark this occasion, ArchDaily's curators and editors decided to pick a series of articles that capture the major challenges and trends that are shaping the built environment around the world.
It is worth noting that some topics span multiple categories, or can be re-categorized depending on how we frame the built environment and our human habitat. In short, if transformation is going to happen, it must be global.
Public Spaces: The Heart of Societies
We once believed Facebook would become the modern agora of societies, and apps such as Pokemon Go! would be the main drivers urging humans to come back to public spaces. In an era where we're reevaluating the bases of our societies and economies, fortunately, public spaces have become more relevant and more desirable than ever.
Places of Protest, Expression and Social Engagement
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 2 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/49c0/63c0/17bc/c900/0bdc/newsletter/dxLOg-lje2fyobkco6ixpfeinfjjvq.jpg?1601587633)
Revitalized Public Spaces: Fostering Human Connections in Cities
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 3 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/58ca/63c0/17bc/c900/0bfb/newsletter/Tainan_Spring_(c)_Daria_Scagliola_01.jpg?1601591489)
Shared Space in an Increasingly Dense Architecture
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 4 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/5b05/63c0/17ae/2200/0862/medium_jpg/1194_Future_Towers_Pune_%C2%A9Ossip.jpg?1601592062)
The Challenges and Opportunities of Urban Regeneration in Gentrified Areas of China
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 5 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/5b7e/63c0/17bc/c900/0bfc/newsletter/2.jpg?1601592180)
11 Steps to Achieve Quality Public Spaces at a Neighborhood Level: UN-Habitat's Guideline
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 6 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/5b4a/63c0/17ae/2200/0863/newsletter/Gianluca_Stefani_-_rule1.jpg?1601592131)
Technologies: From the Internet of Things to Artificial Intelligence
A few years ago, we asked our readers whether automation would affect architecture. Most of the readers believed back then that human creativity wouldn't be replaced by some random bot, but the truth is, new technologies are everywhere —and for the better, in most cases. Therefore, do not expect some humanoid robots to replace you soon.
Systems to Design a Smart and Contactless Home
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 7 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/5c3d/63c0/17bc/c900/0c03/newsletter/nic_lehoux.jpg?1601592369)
How Will Generative Design Impact Architecture?
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 8 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/5c93/63c0/17bc/c900/0c04/newsletter/Generative-design_Autodesk_MaRS_GD-Design-Options.jpg?1601592460)
AI Can Only Help Architecture if We Ask the Right Questions
Climate Crisis: Now or Never
It isn't about believing climate change is real. It's happening, regardless of what you might believe. We as citizens must address it, now.
How to Transform a Polluted Indoor Environment into a Healthy Home
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 9 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/5d0f/63c0/17bc/c900/0c05/medium_jpg/Vila_Matilde_House___Terra_e_Tuma_Arquitetos_Associados_%C2%A9_Pedro_Kok.jpg?1601592584)
Tips for Using Rainwater in Architectural Projects
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 10 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/5e7c/63c0/17ae/2200/0866/newsletter/TZ_2.jpg?1601592949)
Zero Waste in Architecture: Rethink, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 11 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/5fce/63c0/17ae/2200/0868/newsletter/Ruault_2.jpg?1601593285)
A Guide to Design for Disassembly
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 12 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/5f1a/63c0/17ae/2200/0867/newsletter/WOODEN_NURSERY_PARIS_Clement_Guillaume_01_COPYRIGHT.jpg?1601593106)
How Are Construction Materials Produced and How Does This Contribute to the Climate Crisis?
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 13 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/5d63/63c0/17ae/2200/0864/newsletter/P3044057.jpg?1601592664)
Why Should We Invest in Mitigation Instead of Reconstruction? Chile's Resiliency is a Good Example
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 14 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/5dce/63c0/17ae/2200/0865/newsletter/shutterstock_744409300.jpg?1601592771)
Societies: How Will We Live Together?
“We need a new spatial contract," wrote Hashim Sarkis a year ago when introducing the Venice Biennale 2020 theme (well, 2021). "In the context of widening political divides and growing economic inequalities, we call on architects to imagine spaces in which we can generously live together".
A New Urban Model for a New Project of Society: An Interview with Tainá de Paula
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 15 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/5ffc/63c0/17bc/c900/0c07/newsletter/taina-de-paula.jpg?1601593329)
6 Initiatives that Empower Women in the Architectural and Construction Sectors
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 16 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/6075/63c0/17bc/c900/0c08/newsletter/83401414_187645252325751_3412412206378520361_n.jpg?1601593454)
LGBTQIA+ Experience in the City and in the Architectural Field, According to Our Readers
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 17 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/6191/63c0/17bc/c900/0c09/newsletter/lgbt-fi.jpg?1601593731)
"I Grew Up Where Architecture Was Designed to Oppress": Wandile Mthiyane on Social Impact and Learning from South Africa
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 18 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/61b5/63c0/17ae/2200/086d/newsletter/Young_Architect_Conference__Portland_Oregon.jpg?1601593774)
Butterfly Effect: 4 Principles for Fighting Global Issues Through Architecture
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 19 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/614e/63c0/17ae/2200/086b/newsletter/40389-preview_low_3097-1_40389_sc_v2com.jpg?1601593672)
Beatriz Colomina on Gender, Collaborative Work, and Disease in Architecture
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 20 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/6115/63c0/17ae/2200/086a/newsletter/beatriz_colomina.jpg?1601593614)
Social Inequality, As Seen From The Sky
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 21 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/60b3/63c0/17ae/2200/0869/newsletter/DJI_0043-Edit.jpg?1601593515)
Post-COVID-19 Typology Trends
As soon as we had to stay at home, we began looking to the future. It is still too soon to call it, but flexible workspaces, wellbeing and mental health as a must on our upcoming projects, the revival of mix-use projects, a revolution in healthcare project design (as it happened after the 1918 Flu Pandemic), and the reconfiguration of sharing economy as we understood it before COVID-19 are among our medium-term bets.
Solutions for More Flexible Workspaces
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 22 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/6263/63c0/17ae/2200/086e/newsletter/J%C3%A9r%C3%A9mie_Souteyrat.jpg?1601593947)
Incorporating Commercial, Cultural and Industrial Programs in a Home
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 23 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/6378/63c0/17bc/c900/0c0a/newsletter/JAG_Studio.jpg?1601594219)
Youth Centers: Places to Develop Physical, Social, Emotional, and Cognitive Abilities
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 24 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/63c4/63c0/17ae/2200/086f/newsletter/Jakob_Gate.jpg?1601594291)
Interior Design Trends That Will Shape the Next Decade
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 25 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/645a/63c0/17bc/c900/0c0b/newsletter/11_Terrazzo_Ibiza.jpg?1601594449)
The Future of the Sharing Economy in the COVID-19 Aftermath
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 26 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/64c6/63c0/17ae/2200/0870/newsletter/8897.jpg?1601594555)
What a Yeast Sachet Can Tell Us About the Cities of the Future
![World Architecture Day: Designing for the Future of the Human Habitat - Image 27 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5f76/6513/63c0/17ae/2200/0871/newsletter/shutterstock_1687940767.jpg?1601594632)
Selection curated by Hana Abdel Latif, María Gonzalez, Clara Ott, Paula Pintos, Antonia Piñeiro, Romullo Baratto, Fabian Dejtiar, Matheus Pereira, Eduardo Souza, and Nicolas Valencia.