Anna Rubbo - Architecture

Designing sustainable environments

Professor Rubbo is an academic architect with extensive experience in the developing world. A member of the United Nations Millennium Project Task Force on Improving the Lives of Slum Dwellers (2002–04), she went on to develop the international interdisciplinary action research ‘think and do tank’ Global Studio, a response to the need for new modes of education for the design and planning professions that help create inclusive and sustainable urbanisation.

The project aims to support Millennium Development Goals 7 and 8 (“ensure environmental sustainability” and “develop international partnerships for development”).
Developed in collaboration with Columbia and Rome universities, Global Studio has engaged almost equal numbers from developing and developed countries, and facilitates new networks. It focuses on people-led initiatives and participatory processes, and promotes the concept of people as agents of their own development, focusing on sustainability.

Since its inception in 2005 over 450 students, academics and professionals from 50 universities and 30 countries have joined the Global Studio in Turkey, Canada and South Africa.

Rubbo’s research seeks to address how city building professionals, including planners and designers, can be made more responsive to the need for inclusive and sustainable cities that help address urban poverty. Global Studio has provided one model of engaged action research and education. A key question is how can alternative interdisciplinary modes of education and alternative practices be increased?

Around one billion people live in slums today, including about 56 million people in developed countries. If nothing is done, this number will probably reach two billion by 2020. The world needs to explore new modes of education and new partnerships that connect the grass roots, local and national government, NGOs, the corporate sector and academia.