Beyond Post-Development Theory: Critically Considering Architects, Culture, Context + International Development

[EN] Post-Development theorists have challenged the act of international development, however more recent literature especially by academics from countries receiving aid, suggests otherwise (Matthews, 2004). Utilizing appreciative inquiry (Salama, 2017) the authors explore and provide an environmental scan of the contemporary landscape where architects are currently involved in international development. The research features and compares a few reviews by architects (among other design practitioners), social scientists (particularly development ethnographers) and feedback from their host communities. This paper aims to better understand how ethnographic research – most notably as manifest in thick descriptions -- amongst other social sciences, informs architects’ designs beyond adopting simplistic and formalistic design motifs. Complementing major gaps in the literature, the authors utilize recent personal projects as reflective practitioners (Bierwolf, 2017). The authors interrogate how decolonizing international development has impacted architectural projects (Samuel, 2014). Finally, the work builds upon the idea of ‘collective wisdom of the wide array of stakeholders, professionals, politicians, decision-makers, and citizens (both engaged and disenfranchised) who have the will and wherewithal to make a difference and to make the world safer, healthier, and better.’ (Sinclair, 2015) The tension between modernity and tradition, and the international and the vernacular, are critically considered.  Architects play important roles in helping with decision-making processes throughout a development project (Gao, 2016). When local architects design projects they empower local populations (Widiarso, 2018). Methods deployed in the present research include literature review and logical argumentation. Informed by the literature and guided by tacit knowing of the authors as experienced and embedded practitioners, the paper concludes with a conceptual frame that proffers insights into the ways that architects’ engagement in international development is perceived by themselves, their own communities of practice, social scientists and the host communities. Further, the frame offers guidance around engagement in complex and multi-faceted international development projects.