As we start a new year, with renewed commitment to the highest aspirations for architecture, we wanted to invite your comments on a very important question. What should AIA Advocacy focus on? AIA Advocacy is directed by the 2020 Policy Platform and is overseen by the AIA GAC (Government Advocacy Committee). But within the many policy objectives set in the 2020 Policy Platform, the advocacy team relies on feedback from COTE and other Knowledge Communities about what should be prioritized.
AIA Advocacy’s work is always self-determined but influenced by what we hear from membership. Currently, we sit under the umbrella of COTE, the focus of AIA Advocacy is to discuss issues of the environment, policy and how we can raise the floor for architects and the communities we serve. In recent years we have heard from chapter COTE members that architects across the country want to advance energy codes, electrification, renewables, embodied carbon legislation, and resilience amongst other top of mind issues. Members are interested in how policy can support the case for the decarbonized designs we aspire to build and support a just future. Beyond the work of the COTE team our friends that volunteer with AIA’s Government Advocacy Committee (GAC) are also involved in several policy initiatives that we are eager to share with COTE membership. Their work gives us food for thought as we consider what is the best use of our volunteer hours in the year ahead. In the first few months of 2023 GAC gave COTE the following updates:
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In early January, AIA met with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Deputy Secretary Todman, discussing how architects and design professionals can contribute to inclusive, resilient, and sustainable affordable housing development.
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Kimberly Dowdell and Advocacy & Relationship staff participated in the US Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting, January 18-20 in Washington, DC. Dowdell spoke at the Business Leaders Plenary Session, highlighting AIA’s commitment to climate action and racial and gender equity, and reiterating our interest in partnering with mayors and city leaders.
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In support of the most diverse U.S. Congress in history, AIA leaders joined business and media sponsors to celebrate several U.S. Diversity Staff Associations on January 31, 2023, and present Diversity Across the Aisle in Washington, D.C at the outset of the 118th Congress.
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As part of AIA’s 2023 Leadership Summit, architects headed to Capitol Hill. On February 14, we had an opening General Session, including speeches from AIA Leadership and political commentator/strategist James Carville.
AIA Advocacy seeks more of your input, as a member-based organization what we advocate for will be based on what we hear from COTE members and what our working group can strategically advance amongst those requests. If you are interested in becoming part of the COTE Advocacy group, or even commenting on what you would like us to advocate for, please reach out to us via cote@aia.org.
Arathi Gowda, AIA, AICP, LEEP AP BD+C
Principal, ZGF Architects