MATERIA URBANA: activism

1.7.20 Protagonismo individualista que amenaza un estallido antisocial 2.0

Nota originalmente publicada en El Libero (30.06.2020)

Desde niña me enseñaron a cuidar lo del otro tal como si fuera mío. Para asegurarme, lo cuidaba aún más. El otro, sus esfuerzos y pertenencias, representado en el vecino, el amigo, o el colegio, merecían respeto. Así se hacía realidad que mi persona no era el centro del universo.

En conversaciones sobre el futuro de nuestras ciudades post pandemia y bajo amenazas de un estallido [anti] social 2.0, expertos nos dicen que parte del problema de violencia en los jóvenes —más evidente en sectores sociales y urbanos vulnerables— es su rechazo a una sociedad individualista. Así se entendería su ‘rabia’, la que a menudo se expresa en la destrucción de lo que no conciben como propio. En respuesta a esta sociedad individualista los jóvenes exigen ser escuchados y tener mayor participación en las decisiones.

Casa patrimonial en Av. Vicuña Mackenna 44, construida en 1915 y perteneciente a la Universidad Pedro de Valdivia, fue incendiada y destruida el 8 de noviembre 2019.

22.2.09 Jaywalking: the day I asserted my rights as a car

Written on Friday April 11th. 2003

We had decided to have some fun that night. For long all our efforts had focused on opposing the war on Iraq. We had not succeeded of course and Australia was part of this war. We were saddened by the news, the civilian deaths, the misery, and the destruction of Iraqi cities. Appalled by the violence of the so called, “Coalition of the willing”.

This night we were going to have a break, "let’s go dancing, Brazilian music for a change!" We dressed up a bit and drove to Smith Street. As we approached the corners of Gertrude and Smith Streets, we saw a “take over the streets” demonstration with some anti-US slogans. A few young, mainly hippie looking demonstrators had managed to stop the traffic along Smith St. It was too good to go pass by without showing solidarity with the initiative. We stopped, I said hello to a few demonstrators, they looked at me with a bit of distrust. In the crowd I recognised my Melbourne University classmate Andy. I was thrilled to see him there. Not because we had ever talked about anything, or even talked for that matter, but because at this stage I thought that there were no committed students at Melbourne University who would be prepared to act on their convictions. I was so happy in fact that I gave him a huge hug—he must have been surprised, but he warmly returned my greeting.

31.10.06 arch-peace: interview by GreenLeft Weekly

Architects challenge greed and war
GREENLEFT.org.au Leyal Aksu, October 18, 2006
Leyal Aksu, Melbourne 14 October 2006

Architects for Peace, Australia, took an active part in the protests against Israel’s attacks on Lebanon and Palestine. Beatriz Maturana, a founder of the group, told Green Left Weekly that the group formed in February 2003, in response to the invasion of Iraq. It continues to campaign against the US-led occupation of Iraq.

“It doesn’t make sense for urban professionals to build cities only to have wars destroy them”, Maturana said. When her stream of letters to MPs against the Iraq war were ignored, she decided something more needed to be done. “As professionals, we can add to the community outrage, and we are taken seriously speaking out against social injustice and environmental destruction.”

7.2.06 Timor Leste: no urban/architectural enquire can be devoid of its social-political context

Timor Leste: no urban/architectural enquire can be devoid of its social-political context
By Beatriz C. Maturana
originally published in arch-peace forum. 2/07/2006

During a short visit to Timor Leste in September 2001, as part of the Australian “Friendship City Relationship” planning team, I was the architect and the de facto translator for my group. As my first language is Spanish, I could easily talk and communicate with East Timorese government officers, students (older than 25), the driver, the lady who cleaned the house and prepared our meals and the people in the markets. Portuguese is close enough to Spanish so communication is easy enough and Tetum, the most widely native language spoken in the country, is impregnated with Portuguese.

10.5.03 Thoughts on the restoration of basic human and professional ethics

Thoughts on the restoration of basic human and professional ethics
Published in Planning News, Volume 29 No. 3 May 2003
In response to the article “Dreaming of Baghdad” (Planning News, Volume 29 No. 3 April 2003)

War on Iraq is illegal, unjustified and a crime. Surely the prevention of war and the consequent destruction should be debated by planners and not presented as an opportunity for innovative planning or worse, ardently supported as a way to “suggest” western planning standards.

The refusal by Australia to support the UN is central to any discussion before any cake is divided up between coalitions or consortiums of willing planners “Dreaming of Baghdad”.

Basic professional ethics should have motivated us to oppose this war and the subsequent murdering of civilians, the destruction of their infrastructure and heritage. It is not acceptable that we "professionals" will profit from the reconstruction of Iraq - this is immoral and unethical. As professionals we should continue to denounce the practice of profiting from people's suffering and the violations of their human rights, the destruction of their cities and environment, their sovereignty and dignity.