Future of identity. Globalisation and architecture

It is reasonable to believe that individuals and communities identify with architecture and urban form, but this fact in itself is unremarkable. What is not clear, however, is how significant architecture and urban form are in the totality of how individuals and communities shape their identity in the current condition. By seeing architecture and urban form as a part of the greater phenomenon of identity we can advance our understanding of the impact that changes to buildings and places have on communities.

Identity is the foundation to a sense of belonging. It is the means by which people locate themselves as members of communities and groups and how they define their place in society. Identities are not singular, nor are they stable. New patterns in population movement, developments in transport and advances in electronic communication have loosened traditional ties between residence and identity. There has been a move from the “community sociality”, (A. Wittel 2001), of physically localised connections, to an increasing “network sociality”, (A. Wittel 2001), of informational, ephemeral and often temporary associations. Further to these classifications, global capitalism can be said to have created identities of “resistance”, (M. Castells 2004), – forms of identification more explicitly defined and proactive than previous generations. Any study of how architecture and urban form participate in the formation of identity must be seen in the context of this shifting global condition and must include a speculation on its future direction.