Another international congress for Durban

Fanuel Motsepe, bid presenter; Peter Engblom, creative director; Trish Emmett, national chair, (recently nominated UIA VP); Rodney Harber, LOC member; Ivor Daniel, LOC chair; Roz Harber, LOC member; and Nina Saunders, LOC member. Absent: Bruce Clark,LOC member.

There was great jubilation from the South African delegation as the results of the 224 votes, cast in favour of the event to be held in Durban, was displayed on a screen at the general assembly chaired by UIA president Gaétan Siew. Durban beat Singapore by a narrow margin.

SAIA was honoured to be supported in its presentation of the bid by an official delegation of the Department of Public Works, led by Minister Thokozile Didiza. Ambassador to Rome Dr LM Shope and the Consul General with staff members from Rome and Milan were also present.

The UIA has organised a world congress every three years since 1948 in which, with an audience of professionals, students, representatives of the institutional, political and entrepreneurial world, topics related to the discipline and current issues are discussed. This year's theme was entitled Transmitting Culture, Hope, and Democracy and was attended by 9800 delegates from across the world.

The XXIV Congress will take place in Tokyo (Japan) during 2011, and the XXV Congress will be held in Durban (South Africa) in 2014.

SAIA's theme for the UIA 2014 Congress is entitled "MultipliCITY: World Future”. The diverse and multilayered nature of Durban will guide the congress as a living laboratory of multiplicity in action and co-existence.

The bid was organised by SAIA's Local Organising Committee and was attended by the SAIA executive. SAIA thanks the following for financial and moral support: Department of Public Works, eThekwini Municipality; South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP); Cement & Concrete Institute; and Corobrik.

For more info on Durban 2014, to www.uia2014durban.org.za.