Preparations begin in Rio de Janeiro, World Capital of Architecture 2020

Following the announcement of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as the first UNESCO-International Union of Architects (UIA) World Capital of Architecture in 2020, UNESCO and the UIA held their first joint committee meeting on 24 October 2019 under the chairmanship of architect Dominique Perrault, designer of the Bibliothèque nationale de France in Paris.  

The meeting aimed to coordinate the activities for the year, which will be held under the theme “All the worlds. Just one world”.

Fabrice Gentile

© UIA

“It is a pleasure for me to participate in this joint UNESCO-UIA initiative and to chair this Committee, which brings together architects from different regions of the world with innovative points of view,” said Dominique Perrault. “The diversity of our experiences and our commitment to sustainable development are contributing to a successful programme for Rio.”

The 7-member UNESCO-UIA Joint Committee outlined Rio’s programme for 2020, which will advocate for inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 11 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Rio de Janeiro 2020 will be the site of intense discussions, led by architects, urban planners and cultural professionals, on how architecture, urban planning and cultural heritage can help promote inclusive societies and effective institutions. It will also provide a wealth of insights and concrete evidence showing the power of creativity and cultural diversity for promoting urban renewal and innovation.

Launched in November 2018, the UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture initiative aims at preserving architectural heritage and creating new synergies between culture and architecture, by strengthening the cultural assets of cities and encouraging the development of people and culture-centred spaces.