According to Associate Clinical Professor James Tilghman, the future of architecture isn’t what is on the horizon; it’s what is 30 feet off the ground. Autonomous aerial vehicles, once the stuff of science fiction, might not be as far away as we think, he says—and will have a direct impact on the shape of our cities.
“Drone technology is already here in its infancy,” says Tilghman. “Could we see the first intimations of human aerial transport in the next decade? Absolutely. The implications on how we connect and travel will directly inform design. Our mission as architects is to bring the beauty of this technology out front and center.”
Tilghman will share his concept—a revolutionary take on the aerotropolis—in a five-minute, one-slide speed talk next week, one of 11 UMD faculty presenting research and projects at Societal Grand Challenges: The Future of Urbanism, a half-day forum that highlights work and research that will shape future cities. From the economics of nature conservation and placemaking through public spaces, to “healthy” net-zero buildings and citizen scientists, faculty will present innovative ideas and case studies that are shaping a resilient, equitable and sustainable urban landscape.
Hosted by the University of Maryland’s School of Architecture, Planning and Presentation, the virtual event hopes to connect work happening at MAPP with research and practice interests across the university and region.
“Society’s grand challenges, from climate change to social injustice, are intrinsically linked to the built environment,” said Dr. Dawn Jourdan, dean of the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. “They are wicked problems that require innovative and daring solutions which build on the knowledge of many disciplines. We hope this event sparks new collaborations that do just that.”
A keynote by Deacon Wardlow, Continuous Improvement Manager & Innovationista at Vantage LED, kicks off the afternoon, and will share how existing technology can be reinvented to move society closer to a connected, resilient future. Two lightning presentation rounds will be followed by Q and As and networking sessions.
Two more symposiums, planned for later this year, will address equitable communities, including immigration and housing, and resilience—from environmental and economic to culture and community.
“After working with MAPP faculty for the past three years, I’m excited we are able to share their exciting, important and innovative work more widely,” said Tara Burke, who supports research work at the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. “I think students, alumni, other researchers and our community partners will see our societal grand challenges–these difficult, thorny problems—through a new lens that could inspire new research collaborations.”
Don’t miss Societal Grand Challenges: The Future of Urbanism, Tuesday February 22, 2022, 1-4 PM. Learn more and RSVP to this virtual event here. Dig in early with our reading list!