Writing on the Wall: City Criticism in the 21st Century

What is the point, purpose and power of urban criticism today? Can writing still shape the cityscape? Could it ever? As the already dwindling media landscape is further rocked by the rise of AI, what is the role of urban writers today to challenge, celebrate and investigate the vast sprawling real estate industry? For this talk, British writer, curator and urbanist Phineas Harper will share their perspective – hopes and fears alike – on the role of criticism in contemporary architecture and city-making.

A regular contributor to The Guardian and Dezeen and co-founder of the New Architecture Writers programme, Harper is among the sharpest urban critics writing today. They are unafraid of provocation – their review of the latest Venice Architecture Biennale ran under the headline “A Tech Bro Fever Dream”. Through such pieces, Harper consistently opens debates that extend far beyond architecture, from the housing crisis to biodiversity loss to why men should wear more skirts.