Community architecture, empowerment, ecological awareness and community- based learning

Abstract

Community architecture is a relatively new field in Hungary. Social architecture, a similar area focuses on the conscious design of the environment and aims to influence human behaviour via the construction of community spaces. Social architects often involve the members of a given community. In community architecture, this involvement is conceived as a priority: community members are empowered via their participation in the entire process. They learn new practical skills and obtain relevant knowledge in funding, planning, decision-making and collaboration. As the construction proceeds, a local community is formed, representing its own goals, values, sense of mission, internal conflicts and solutions, and identity. Community architecture usually relies on local, traditional technologies and local staff and resources: therefore it often presents ecologically sustainable and safe solutions. In an academic setting, the model of community-based learning offers mutual benefits for all the concerned parties.