A Pluriverse of Outputs: The Built Environment and Climate Change in Latin America

Date & Time: 6^th November 2025 @ 13:00
Location: London Road Campus
Organised by: School of Architecture & Department of Real Estate and Planning

Supported by: Reading Latin American and Caribbean Network (R-LAC)

Event Registration: If you wish to attend, please complete this registration form – https://forms.office.com/e/uP7APu5Nnn

Event Overview

This interdisciplinary event brings together colleagues from the School of the Built Environment and the Department of Real Estate and Planning to explore and expand our collective engagement with Latin America. The aim is to identify and strengthen the critical mass of research and activities already underway in the region, while also welcoming those with no prior experience but a keen interest in development processes across the built environment.

Latin America presents a rich and complex landscape for research, encompassing large-scale infrastructure projects, small-scale housing initiatives, and everything in between. The development process, from land acquisition and planning permission to design and delivery, is deeply shaped by socio-political, environmental, and cultural factors. This event will also bring colleagues from Meteorology to engage in the debates around the climate emergency and the vulnerabilities faced by communities across the region, leveraging the extensive network and expertise of RLAC.

Programme

Registration: 13:00 – 13:15

13-15: Welcome & Introduction (15 min)
Speaker: Dr. Penelope Plaza, co-Head of Architecture, University of Reading
Dr. Plaza will introduce the RLAC network, highlighting its role as a bridge between departments and its value in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. She will also present the concept of the Pluriverse, a framework that can help us to think different in terms of the diverse and creative research outputs beyond traditional academic formats, especially relevant to the School of Architecture.

13:30 Presentation: Understanding the Development Process in Latin America (15 min)
Speaker: Dr. Claudia Murray
Dr. Murray will unpack the development process in Latin American contexts and the challenges posed by climate change. This session will provide a foundation for thinking about how different disciplines can contribute to research and practice in the region.

13:45 Interactive Mapping & Networking Session (30 min)
Participants will use large-scale maps and post-it notes to locate their current research activities or areas of interest in Latin America. This informal session doubles as a coffee break and networking opportunity, encouraging cross-departmental dialogue and collaboration.

14: 15 Presentation: Meteorological Challenges in Latin America (15 min)
Speaker: Dr. Oscar Martinez Alvarado, Department of Meteorology
Dr. Martinez Alvarado will present key meteorological challenges facing Latin America, drawing comparisons with Africa, Asia, Europe, and the UK. This session aims to help colleagues unfamiliar with the region identify potential research connections and applications of their expertise.

14: 30 Group Activity: Designing Pluriverse Outputs (30 min)
Participants will be divided into small groups to brainstorm potential research outputs that reflect the Pluriverse approach. These outputs may include visual, spatial, or creative formats, and should be grounded in the knowledge and expertise present in the room. The final 10 minutes will be used to share ideas with the organising team.

15:00 Closing Remarks & Opportunities (15 min)
The event will conclude with a reminder of RLAC’s seed funding opportunities, the RLAC blog platform, and the potential for collaborative research applications. Participants will be encouraged to use RLAC as a resource for building long-term engagement with Latin America.

15:15 Informal networking and farewell (15’)

15:30 End