Join AIA Austin in welcoming Vishan Chakrabarti, FAIA, as he discusses “the Architecture of the Cosmopolis”. The urbanist world has largely formed a consensus around the idea that transit-oriented urban growth leads to positive social, economic, and environmental outcomes due to the diversity, innovation, and ecology that dense walkable development is argued to bring. Cracks have begun to emerge in this consensus, however, as communities question the gentrification impacts of new growth. Vishan discusses how an undercurrent in this debate transcends economic arguments, hinging instead on whether new development reflects the local community, climate, culture, and construction.

Vishaan Chakrabarti, FAIA is the founder of Practice for Architecture and Urbanism | PAU, a New York architecture firm working globally. His book A Country of Cities argues that a well-designed urban world would result in more prosperity, sustainability, equity, and joy.

Chakrabarti and his team are designing distinctive architecture projects that reflect and rethink urban life in the 21st century including the Domino site in New York, the beginnings of a new downtown for Philadelphia, and a remarkable urban village and cultural center in Ulanbator, Mongolia.

Prior to founding PAU, Chakrabarti was a principal in major global architecture firms and served as the director of planning for Manhattan under Mayor Michael Bloomberg after the tragic events of 9/11, during which he helped to plan the High Line, the reconstruction of the World Trade Center, and the expansion of Columbia University. Chakrabarti holds a Master of Architecture from the University of California at Berkeley, a Master of City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and dual bachelor’s degrees in Art History and Engineering from Cornell University.

Chakrabarti has appeared on PBS, NPR, MSNBC, the main stage of TED, and the pages of the New York Times and the Financial Times. He was recently named Dean of the UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design.

Vishan will be signing his book, A Country of Cities: A Manifesto for an Urban America

Design Talks offer 1 LU of continuing education credit for registered attendees (sign-in required)