In a story for Azure magazine, Daniels Faculty lecturer Reza Nik uses a fictional narrative to explain the way gentrification happens in urban neighbourhoods — and the role architects play in abetting the process.

Nik writes:

Architects play a role in urban inequities and gentrification, too. We are not apolitical service providers — we need to hold ourselves accountable for the part we play. Rather than confusing community involvement with NIMBYism, we should encourage it. We can advance our processes of consultation, particularly when engaging equity-seeking communities, by bringing everyone to the table at the beginning of the conversation.

Read the full story at Azure

Image by Reza Nik and Antonio Fernandez.