Britain's Riots: Architects Respond

Five architects dissect the role the built environment plays in the riots. Joseph Rykwert says cities incite riots, while Robert Tavernor says that the riots are "a sobering reminder that cities are for people, that people make cities."

1 minute read

August 10, 2011, 12:00 PM PDT

By Kristopher Fortin

Here are a few other highlights in the article:

"The riots were all too predictable: a generation of poor, young people with no future becomes a tinderbox for violence." - Richard Sennett

"Locking up cowed hoodies in overcrowded prisons won't solve anything. We need to think about public housing and public space - quickly." - Joseph Rykwert

Wouter Vanstiphout bemoans the fact that riots never inspire learning in a government or a people, instead resulting in a city that is more authoritarian.

FULL STORY: Riots: Sennett, Rykwert, Till, de Botton and Tavernor on why Britain is burning

Wednesday, August 10, 2011 in The Architects'Journal

Government / Politics Housing United Kingdom Cities London Britain Riots View More

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