Editors Introduction

Abstract

Our cities and urban landscapes are in transformation. They grow, expand, build, and rebuild. In North America, these efforts are being led by untamed global markets and private capital. What drives these forces is a unilateral model: return-on-investment (ROI). Such a model for urban development is becoming increasingly popular in most regions of the world. And yet, the present-day urban landscape is a complex array of interdependent systems, many of which do not operate towards making a profit. These systems are meant to respond to economical, political, social, and ecological challenges. Nowadays, the forces of global markets and private capital are increasingly negotiating with multiple stakeholders when investing in urban landscapes, demonstrating willingness to engage in cooperative relationships towards overcoming these challenges.
How does architecture perform in such an environment?