Informal dispatches from COP 26

DAY 10 — “Smart” has many meanings

By Thomas Vonier
FAIA RIBA
Immediate Past President, International Union of Architects
Former President, American Institute of Architects

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Five hours after the huge anti-COP26 climate demonstration had passed by on Saturday—100,000 people in all, chanting and marching in the rain—I walked down Argyle Road, one of Glasgow’s broadest and busiest routes, and a main path for the giant, noisy parade.

The immediate legacy of the march was mounds and mounds of trash: thousands of discarded plastic water and soft drink bottles (yes!), tons of soggy cardboard placards, and piles of wrinkled plastic banners— all pitched witlessly at the roadside.

Really? I thought. This is what the legions of environmental activists have left to the generous and gracious city of Glasgow, and to its trash collectors (who are already striking and unhappy over labor conditions)?

But then, what does one do with all the posters and placards? “Shoulda saved ‘em for COP 27,” said a man who me saw me studying a trash heap. “Well,” I said, “let’s hope they won’t be necessary.”

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Tom is sending DesignIntelligence daily dispatches from COP 26 and offering his seasoned insights and observations along the way.