Architecture and urbanism and democracy design competitions

essay on raising and crossing social “frontiers”

Abstract

This essay explores the relationship between architectural and urban design competition projects and democracy, questioning the underlying understanding of “democracy” in these events, traditionally considered democratic. Drawing on the theoretical frameworks of Edgar Morin and Jacques Rancière, the essay proposes a revisitation of the topic to redefine and improve
the operation of design competitions. While democracy is understood as an open and inclusive
process, traditional competitions often operate under the premise of representativity, distancing
the community from decision-making processes. The concept of “other competitions” emerges
as laboratories of democracy, aiming to bridge the gap between specialists and non-specialists.
The essay discusses instruments and procedures of these competitions, emphasizing that the
proposals are not universal prescriptions but provisional constructions subject to continuous
evaluation and improvement, mirroring the nature of democracy itself.