The United Nations and Design Miami/ today launched a global platform for green infrastructure, architecture and design in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The platform, “Building Legacy: Designing for Sustainability” brings together designers, architects, producers, and policy makers to promote concrete solutions in closing the gap between sustainable design and responsible production.
The launch, which took place in Miami, was supported by a Host Committee comprised of influencers, thought leaders and public figures, brought together by Design Miami/, the global forum for design. The program kicks off this week with a series of four Building Legacy Talks which will be held at the fair over two days, featuring designers, architects, and educators. The Office of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Climate Change supported the partnership.
“The transformation of architecture, design and infrastructure is a key contributor to the successful implementation of all 17 Sustainable Development Goals,” said Mitch Toomey, the Director of the UN SDG Action Campaign, during the launch. “The 2030 Agenda requires and indeed, calls for a re-thinking and re-tooling of architecture and design globally. The Building Legacy platform is a response to that call.”
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls for a new way for structuring cities, buildings and shelters in order to ensure quality and resilience. It is projected that by 2050, over sixty-five percent of people will be living in urban areas. As the world faces the largest wave of urbanization in history, there is need to transform the current approaches to public space and hard infrastructure. There is an urgency to halt the construction of further infrastructure that is carbon-intensive and divorced from a focus on the welfare of the most vulnerable people. The decisions made about how these cities are built and how industries grow, thrive and employ will impact natural systems: the atmosphere, agriculture, water and living beings.
“Transforming how infrastructure is designed and built will require a new level of commitment from designers, architects and developers. Design Miami/, as the leading global forum for design, is pleased to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals by engaging the design and architecture community and inspiring millions of others to commit to Building Legacy,” said Rodman Primack, Chief Creative Officer of Design Miami/.
Building Legacy aims to generate momentum and a new movement towards designing for sustainability and survival. The platform promotes design, architecture and construction for future generations. Building Legacy aims to engage all major actors in the infrastructure community, including but not necessarily limited to: architects, designers, urban planners, real estate developers, builders, city managers, education, health, water and sanitation service providers, manufacturers and civil engineers.
About Design Miami/
Design Miami/ is the global forum for design. Each fair brings together the most influential collectors, gallerists, designers, curators and critics from around the world in celebration of design culture and commerce. Occurring alongside the Art Basel fairs in Miami, USA each December and Basel, Switzerland each June, Design Miami/ has become the premier venue for collecting, exhibiting, discussing and creating collectible design. For more information, please visit designmiami.com.
Media contacts
Francyne Harrigan, UN Department of Public Information
T: (917) 367-5414 | E: harriganf@un.org
Valentina Giani, Camron PR
T: +44 (0) 20 7420 1726 | E: valentina.giani@camronpr.com