On 27 February, ACE President Ruth Schagemann opened the Responsive Cities Conference in Barcelona, delivering an inspiring message to design students on the critical role of architecture in shaping the future of decarbonised cities and buildings by 2050.

In her address, Ruth Schagemann highlighted the evolving responsibilities of architects in the face of climate change:

“Architecture is no longer just about aesthetics or functionality—it’s about responsibility. Our work impacts people, communities, and the planet. We must not only react to change but lead it. We are not just architects; we are agents of change.”

The conference marks the start of the CiD – Circular Design Alliance, an Erasmus+ academic programme that brings together students from Leibniz Universität Hannover, Università di Genova – DAD, and the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC). The programme empowers students to explore circular design solutions for sustainable cities, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation.

The academic journey will culminate in a student competition in June 2025, with the winning project earning a place in a three-week incubator programme in Tallinn, Estonia, in August 2025.

The ACE is proud to support the next generation of architects as they lead the transformation towards a more sustainable built environment.

Find out more about the CiD – Circular Design Alliance.