Architecture as a driver of social improvements

In past years, many architects and urban specialists have reflected about the work of architecture in the construction of society. In the document  "Sociedad y paisajes emergentes. Apuntes a propósito de los concursos de desarrollo urbano e inclusión social de CAF" (Society and emerging landscapes. Notes from CAF's urban development and social inclusion contests), architect Sharif S. Kahatt states that "if architecture aspires to recover an important role in the development of cities, it must develop the capacity to operate in the economic and political networks of today's society". 

In his opinion, the three editions of the contest carried out by CAF, Development Bank of Latin America, are a demonstration of this process, as many of the proposals are presented as drivers of social improvements. When referring to the contest, he stated that "in this new architecture, which is being granted awards since 2011, new strategies are developed for innovative projects that absorb the difficulties of the current situation". 

Kahatt considers that there is evidence that in the schools of architecture there is a trend to promote positive interventions that place design at the service of society. "There is a new and optimistic attitude in Latin America. The proposals that received the first prizes not only explore the role of architecture in the development of a sense of community, but also acknowledge its power for social transformation ".