It is clear that we must re-examine the role of the architect, specifically with regard to the developing world. Currently, most architects are stuck working within the boundaries that the “brief writers” have neatly created for them, when in reality, is it the brief writers who truly know best? (Awan, Schneider, Till 70). One single person or entity cannot and should not create or generalize the opinion of an entire neighborhood or city.
We have seen in a variety of case studies such as Paraisopolis and Tijuana/San Diego that there is often an incredible juxtaposition between extreme wealth and extreme poverty in our cities. The gap between classes is only getting wider, thus we need to mediate between these two disparate communities in order to bridge this gap and improve the living conditions of the poor. This requires spatial agency in conjunction with a close examination of the causes of these impoverished conditions. Once we are able to identify these deep seeded causes, architects, designers, engineers, and the communities will be able to work in conjunction with one another in order to create new systems to improve people’s lives. The key to success and invention once the root of the problem is discovered, is working in collaboration with a variety of groups, most importantly the inhabitants, to come up with the best possible solution for each community (Aquilino 162). Social exchange is an underutilized, yet invaluable tool for anyone proposing architectural interventions. Collecting information and input from the largest group possible will provide us with an immense amount of ideas that may not have occurred to an architect or other designer who does not live in the area in which they are working. This is a type of participatory design that will help us as designers see the possibilities of a site, using spatial agency. It will push architecture past being solely a service, into a creative, unencumbered process that can accommodate for any number of variables (Awan, Schneider, Till 72). This is the way that we can begin to push the boundaries and break the status quo. It is possible that instead of focusing on large institutional projects with strict guidelines, the next generation of architects will choose to work outside of their comfort zone and begin to explore the possibilities and potential that is abundant in developing countries and their slums.
Vast quantities of factors determine the success of any given project or neighborhood. As Marie Jeannine Aquilino discusses, the environment and the building stock are vitally linked, and must be considered in conjunction (Aquilino 155). Using spatial agency, and looking outside of the norms for design concepts has the promise of creating new types of space that both respects the environment as well as supports the population. It is irresponsible for architects in the twenty first century to design without the environment in mind, and while it may take time and significant effort to convince others, particularly governments, that this is the inevitable truth of our world, it is something that designers must take on. After all, it truly is a place for architectural experimentation and innovation.

Aquilino, Marie Jeannine. Beyond Shelter: Architecture and Human Dignity. New York, NY: Metropolis, 2010.
Awan, Nishat, Tatjana Schneider, and Jeremy Till. Spatial Agency: Other Ways of Doing Architecture. Abingdon, Oxon [England: Routledge, 2011.