#43 Nikolaj Schultz: Teaching Architecture

Drawing on his book On the Emergence of an Ecological Class, co-authored with Bruno Latour, Nikolaj Schultz turns his attention to architecture as a discipline that must redefine itself in the face of profound ecological and social transformations in order to open up new worlds of imagination. In doing so, he calls on architecture students and faculty to recognize the enormous social significance of their field and to actively harness its potential for socio-ecological transformation.

Susann Ahn is an architect and scholar. Her research spans architecture, urbanism, and transdisciplinary transformation processes, with a particular focus on socio-ecological issues, cooperative planning approaches, and the future of urban spaces.

Nikolaj Schultz (DK), sociologist, Dr. phil., and assistant professor of social theory and ecological thought at the Aarhus School of Architecture, is one of the leading figures of his generation in the social sciences. In his work, he explores the intersection of sociology, existentialism, politics, and the climate crisis. Schultz was a close collaborator of the late French philosopher Bruno Latour (1947–2022), with whom he co-authored the book On the Emergence of an Ecological Class: A Memo (2022), which has been translated into 16 languages. The book calls for the creation of a political class focused on ensuring the planet’s habitability.

Ariane Sept is an urban and regional sociologist and professor of spatial development and transformation processes. Her research focuses on social change, sustainable urban development, and the role of participation, experimentation, and real-world laboratories in shaping livable cities.

This podcast is broadcast in English and consists of two parts. (Part 2/2)

Podcast Credits

Episode #42

Concept and Hosts: Susann Ahn, Ariane Sept, Madlyn Miessgang

Recording, Audio, and Editing: Madlyn Miessgang and Nico Schleicher

ZUKUNFT STADT Podcast Production: Lukas Bast, Larissa Benk, Lisa-Marie Kramer, Lena Hohenkamp, Madlyn Miessgang, and Nico Schleicher

Intro Music: Jakob Kotal

The ZUKUNFT STADT podcast is a project of the Faculty of Architecture and Spatial Planning at TU Wien. It is produced in collaboration between future.lab and the Local Spatial Planning Research Group at TU Wien.