IN-PERSON Barcelona. Section A

Abstract

The concept of dweller control within the actor-network framework involves dynamic collaborations among political theorists, organizers, architects, and planners, including influential figures of community-led or participative architecture in 20th century, like John F. Turner, Walter Segal, Colin Ward, and Giancarlo De Carlo. Over nearly 25 years, these actors engaged in vibrant exchanges, with notable focal points of intellectual cooperation, such as the Italian circle of architects and planners, which, beyond De Carlo, included Ludovico Quaroni, Carlo Doglio, and Franco Bunçuga. Together, they collectively shaped and autonomously implemented dweller control as a guiding principle in their respective fields. This study uncovers primary sources—letters, reports, and photos—demonstrating that these collaborations were intentional transnational efforts to advance a particular vision within the planning discipline. Post-World War II, these architects viewed planning as a “revolutionary tool” for grassroots social change, advocating citizen-controlled urbanism to empower local communities and challenge state authority. Their approach was influenced by regionalist and anarchist thinkers like Reclus, Kropotkin, and Morris, as well as planning ideologies of Geddes and Howard. Of particular importance is Colin Ward’s (1924-2010) connection to this actor-network. He expanded the concept of dweller control beyond prominent figures in his work and put an extra mile in translating, inviting and visiting Italians over decades making the effort visible internationally. Overall, group’s fine-grained approach to autonomy in built environment, documented in works and rich archival sources, highlights the importance of differently rooted sustainability and community participation in shaping architecture and planning.