Architecture and planning under different political systems

Abstract

This book was initiated at the beginning of 2013 by Sven Thiberg, the co-founder and former chairman of ARC•PEACE (International Architects/Designers/Planners for Social Respons - ibility). He then submitted an application for funding from the Swedish Association of Architects, which granted us a sum of USD 1000. This allowed us to arrange a panel debate on Architecture and Planning under Different Political Systems in connection with ARC•PEACE’s General Assembly meeting in Vienna in April 2014. (It covered travel costs for panelists with scarce resources plus some administrative costs). Later on an invitation was sent out calling on ARC•PEACE members to send contributions to this book. There was a tremendous response, resulting in no less than 15 willing authors. In order to support the contributors, an editorial committee was formed composed of: 􀀀Prof Emer Sven Thiberg, Sweden 􀀀Prof Emer Dick Urban Vestbro, Sweden 􀀀Dr Osman El Kheir, Sudan 􀀀Dr Lina Suleiman, Sweden/Palestine 􀀀 All the papers have been examined by the editorial group. In some cases chapters were sent back to the author for revision, minor corrections or shortening. In order to ensure that the papers would be presented in proper English, the Swedish/South African journalist Madi Gray was approached. We extend thanks to her for doing the valuable work of thorough corrections. We also thank Ingrid Sillén for offering to do the layout and final editing, and for offering to use her company for publishing the book, including marketing and taking care of orders. Her costs have been covered by a donation of SEK 10000 by the Head of Department of Urban Planning and Environment at KTH. The donation was made “in honour of our long-time co-worker Dick Urban”.