Environmental Responsibility in Architecture: Case Studies in the Dominican Republic
Daynes E. Oscar (2018-6251)
Feb. 05, 2020
Environmental Responsibilities of the Architect
Case Study Analysis: Facts surrounding the case of the extension of Anacaona Avenue &
construction of a hotel in Cotubanama Park, identifying the issue in relation to the Code
of Ethics and Professional Conduct, finding an alternative courses of action and choosing
the best course of action.
Architecture is defined as the art of design and construction of structures with the
purpose of improving the life experience of humanity. These structures take up space and
describe the collective memory of a society. This career is very important because it directly
affects the environment, so we are responsible for finding the solution of living in a
beautiful and sustainable way. Because architecture is considered an art, it may seem that it
does not have a code of ethics like other sciences, such as medicine, psychology, law or
business. However, the architect has to be a highly educated and disciplined person in the
career because this defines his principles as a person.
The extension of Anacaona Avenue and the construction of a resort on
Cotubanama Park have been of the most controversial topics in our news. These two cases
tell a lot about where the principles of our profession lie. The American Institute of
Architects states the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. They arrange their
statements in three tiers: Canons, Ethical Standards and Rules of Conduct. Through these
US guidelines I will analyze two recent national issues that put in question the principles of
the architects involved.
CANON VI talks about the obligation of the architect to the environment.
Members must recognize the professional responsibilities of promoting sustainable design
and development in the natural and built environments and design that are energy and
resources conscious. Estatement 6.4 says:
” 6.4 Ecosystems. Members should consider with their clients the impact of each
project on the natural habitat and ecosystem to promote environmental and human health.”
This means that it’s our responsibility to make aware of the impact of a decision of
our client. It doesn’t matter the economic benefits we’ll receive from this, everything can
impact our surroundings.
A situation to which we can apply this is the construction of a hotel in a Dominican
Natural Reserve. In 420 square kilometers of this land, you can find 484 species of native
flora, 53 endemic to the island and 35 introduced; more than 200 species of animals,
including reptile mammals, insects, amphibians and birds. Even though the company
involved in this situation is not Dominican, the architects behind the design should
understand the negative impact it would have on the environment in our land. Not only
the designers are worthy of judgement, but the dominican environment ministry. They are
the ones that permitted the deforestation of approximately 245,000 sq meters.
Another situation that hinders the ecosystem was the extension of Anacaona
Avenue. The architect and urban planner Eduardo Selman agrees that the only solution to
the traffic problem on Anacaona Avenue is to take ten meters away off the Mirador Sur
park, as Eugenio Pérez Montás (responsible of the “solution”). Again, this goes against our
purpose as architects. For those who go through the daily struggle of going to work taking
this avenue this solution would be ideal; however, they don’t understand the humongous
impact it will have for those who live in the surrounding of the park and the whole capital.
Parque Mirador Sur is considered the “lung of Santo Domingo”, is the one that helps
breathe cleaner air. Although it is a solution to a problem (which is one of the purposes and
the designer), tt is not certain that the extension of Anacaona would alleviate traffic of the
long run.
This brings me to another statement of the Code of Ethics.
“ 6.5 Climate Change. Members should incorporate adaptation strategies with
their clients to anticipate extreme weather events and minimize adverse effects on the
environment, economy and public health. ” This means that if incase of not cancelling or
removing the project, we should cause as little impact to the environment as possible.
Thank goodness that these two situations have been or are being assessed. The
problem in this country is that we let things happen, then regret and try to find this
solution without learning from the failure. The extension of Anacaona never concluded
because of the voice of the people; nevertheless, Cotubanama has already lost many square
meters of animal habitat. Even though the project has been canceled, the consequences are
yet to come.