As part of the CRÉ’s Midis de l’éthique series, doctoral candidate Erika Brandl (University of Bergen), who is currently undertaking a research stay at the Centre, will give a talk entitled “When Are Architectural Constraints on Future Generations’ Sovereignty Unjust?”

To join via Zoom, click here.

This paper examines when architectural and urban planning practices unjustly constrain the sovereignty of future generations. Architectural structures are long-term, rigid, and durable artefacts that shape and delimit the range of spatial, functional, and aesthetic possibilities available to those who come after us. Drawing on theories of intergenerational fairness, sovereignty, and autonomy, the paper identifies five possible principles that explain when and why such architectural constraints constitute injustice toward future generations: (1) The Principle of Paternalistic Constrain; (2) the Principle of Opportunity Deprivation; (3) the Principle of Non-Substitution; (4) the Principle of Deferred Upkeep; and (5) the Principle of Irreversible Deprivation. Together, these principles delineate a new normative framework for evaluating the justice of architectural constraints across generations. The analysis is illustrated through case studies including, among other, car-centric planning, protected heritage districts, and real estate ownership models.