Architectural competitions and public participation: Fid-Bau Portal

Architectural competitions and public participation

Bern, Aleksander / Røe, Per Gunnar

Abstract This paper examines how the use of architectural competitions may change democratic and participatory aspects in urban planning. This is operationalised by focusing on how architectural competitions impact procedural justice. The architectural competition is a process where only certain experts and professionals are included. We briefly outline how architectural competitions and planning ideals have developed over time to provide context crucial to understanding how they are brought together in contemporary planning practices. Based on interviews and document studies we analyse a set of cases from the Fjord City waterfront redevelopment in Oslo, Norway. The cases vary in form and organization, from the open and international competition format to a more limited competition called parallel assignments. We first consider how architectural competitions may create barriers for public participation. Then we consider if there is a way to integrate them in urban planning that may contribute towards procedural justice and a more inclusive planning process.

Highlights • Architectural competitions create barriers to participation. • Architectural competitions are undemocratic and can be used to construct consensus. • Architects should be challenged on design and aesthetics. • Better dialogue between planners seeking participation strategies and architects practicing participation is needed.