Missing Voices in the Theoretical Discourse About 20th Century Architecture

Abstract

Diversity is a fundamental aspect of a rich urban environment while built spaces have substantial impact on human health and comfort. Therefore, meeting the diverse needs of all urban inhabitants is crucial for the endeavour to create a suitable urban environment. Increasing inclusivity in urban spaces requires the incorporation of a multitude of voices into the theoretical discourse about architecture and urban planning, as this discourse shapes design strategies and ultimately influences the built environment. In particular, the perspectives of marginalized groups are vital, as they are often affected most by the consequences of dysfunctional urban planning strategies. The growing interest in the perspectives of women architects, particularly following the second wave of the Women’s Rights Movement in the 1960s and ‘70s, led to an increasing number of publications exploring the experiences of women and other marginalized groups in the built environment. However, this growing influence was primarily restricted to predominantly white middle-class women, reflecting the prevailing biases within the feminist movement at the time. Consequently, members of other marginalized groups continued to face significant barriers in academia. This thesis seeks to broaden this discourse by examining the available contributions from (predominantly white) women architects in the 20th century and critically assessing which insights they can offer into the experiences of marginalized groups within urban contexts. The hypothesis guiding this research posited that 20th century women architects, influenced by their own experiences of oppression within urban spaces, possessed a heightened awareness for the experiences of marginalized groups compared to their male counterparts. However, it is important to acknowledge the limitations of the perspectives of predominantly white women architects who are affected by their own bias, as experiences in the urban context are influenced by intersectional factors. Therefore, this thesis aims to emphasize the importance of incorporating diverse voices into the discourse to develop a more inclusive built environment. Nevertheless, as illustrated in the first chapter, the voices of women architects and theorists can offer important critical views on the built environment due to their unique position in the architectural field in the 20th century.