Victoria Beach, an independent architect, says that going by a recent definition by lawyer Lawrence Lessig, the entire profession of architecture is ethically corrupt.
Lessig's definition hinges on whether an institution has "tragic structural flaws that undermine their own purposes for being." Beach sees many structural flaws in architecture, including being in bed with developers.
Beach writes, "The building industry has detected, enhanced, and leveraged the public's confusion over what architects do. As architects surrender their leadership positions, the odds that buildings might serve interests beyond those of their developers worsen. Many architects now sit in the back offices of these developers and are economically dependent upon them – a circumstance that was ethically prohibited a century ago."
FULL STORY: Is the Profession of Architecture Corrupt?
The Good, the Bad, and the Ethical: A Moral Philosopher's Perspective on Sustainable Urban Mobility
In the United States, a nation marked by unparalleled car reliance, the environmental and health consequences of car dependency pose a significant ethical dilemma for urban planners, policymakers, and engineers.
The Ethics of Autonomous Car Testing
In the wake of multiple fatal crashes involving Tesla's self-driving mode, ethicists suggest the need for a robust set of regulations governing the testing of AVs before more of them hit the road.
Controversial Trump Appointee Busted for Hatch Act Violation
Lynne Patton, a regional administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Trump administration, was in hot water for abusing her power after staying in public housing for a month in 2019.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.
Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”
Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.
Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden
Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.
German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence
Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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