The Europan Competition 2008

Speech held at DogA, Norway, for winners of the Europan Competition 9th of January 2008.

Ladies and gentlemen, winners of the Europan 9 Competition.

Thank you kindly for the opportunity to say a few words at this prize ceremony for Europan 9. It is a great honour! I am also very happy to be given the task to present the prizes to the winners of this year`s competition before long. Previous speakers have highlighted how important it is for young architects to be able to cooperate and compete with fellow architects on an international level. I agree with that, and The Europan organization is instrumental in making it happen.

The former Swedish prime minister Olof Palme in 1964 said that “politik är att vilja”; that is, will – choice and determination – constitutes the core of politics. The famous architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe on his part stated that “Architecture is the will of an epoch translated into space”. Politics may to various degrees influence peoples’ opportunities, but architects shape our surroundings and, indeed, our future in a profound manner as well!

In modern societies, of course,  politicians and architects interact with and influence one another. To be sure, through our subsidiary body Husbanken, The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development is a sponsor of the Europan organisation. We sincerely cherish the opportunity to do so.

I am convinced that architects also have an important role to play in as much as an increasing part of the global population now resides in cities. Hence, curbing global emissions of climate gases requires more sustainable cities, and architecture may provide vital solutions in that regard. I am pleased to say that our government this year will launch a five year programme named Cities for the future in co-operation with several of the larger cities in Norway. If we are to achieve this, we must endeavour to – among other things -
• strive for effective land use,
• stimulate collective transportation,
• promote renewable energy use in housing and buildings, 
• limit the use of health and environmentally unfriendly materials and substances in buildings, as well as to
• promote good architectural and universal design.

By implication, architects are crucial when we get down to the practical and challenging task of improving the sustainability of cities. That is why it is so important that all young architects seek to acquire knowledge on the subject of sustainability and what it requires in their field of work. Experiences need be shared and know-how on new solutions spread if we are to make headway and secure progress. The activity of Europan contributes to the impartation of such vital knowledge.

Thank you for your attention so far!