Territorial Overlaps
October 8–9, 2026, 3pm
PROVIDENCIA Región Metropolitana 7500125
Chile
DATe—Designs, Architectures, and Territories—is an international conference held in Santiago, Chile, that brings together researchers and academics in architecture, design, and territorial studies to address a globally relevant question: What is the relationship between spatial controversies and current conflicts? In this first edition, the central theme will be “Territorial Overlaps,” a title that aptly helps us analyze global conflicts from a spatial perspective. To delve deeper into this question, we will be joined by Samia Henni (Canada), Nina Kolowratnik (Austria), Léopold Lambert (France), Elis Mendoza (Mexico), Pelin Tan (Turkey), Paulo Tavares (Brazil), Alfredo Thiermann (Chile), and Ines Weizman (UK). Together, we will review, explore, and disseminate cutting-edge thinking on these topics, aiming to learn from what we are currently overlooking and use those insights to envision different futures.
Theme
Why ask about “Territorial Overlaps” today?
After decades of peace and stability, we have recently witnessed the global return of territorial conflicts. This confronts us with a scenario that, while not entirely new, has unprecedented aspects, such as real-time information on threats, attacks, and wars, as well as the pressure on land generated by global warming. Thus, we are witnessing familiar phenomena under unfamiliar conditions and with fewer tools for analysis and action.
Faced with this bleak outlook, the work of numerous contemporary researchers offers some clarity. For at least a decade, practices and research in architecture, design, and territorial studies have focused on examining and understanding territorial controversies from a particular perspective, offering novel insights. These are academics who identified these issues early on and, therefore, have much to teach us.
Place
This conference will take place in Santiago, Chile, a metropolis that, by not being on the front lines of conflicts, offers a healthy critical distance to analyze them. In a world in turmoil, this distance is a privilege. But, like all privileges, it carries a responsibility: to offer a space of hospitality, trust, and security for free conversation and reflection.
This space is located on the Lo Contador campus of the UC Faculty of Architecture, Design, and Urban Studies. In addition to a privileged architectural and urban environment, Lo Contador boasts an informed critical mass: a community of students, academics, intellectuals, and general audiences interested in the topics under discussion. It is a place where diversity of thought is protected, and interdisciplinary dialogue with a public focus is fostered.
Event
DATe will be a free event—with prior registration, subject to venue capacity—because we are convinced that knowledge of public utility should be openly and freely available. It will take place over two consecutive days of live presentations, during which the audience will also be able to ask questions and interact with the speakers.
Under the theme “Territorial Overlaps,” this first edition will be held on October 8 and 9, 2026. Confirmed participants include Samia Henni, Nina Kolowratnik, Léopold Lambert, Elis Mendoza, Pelin Tan, Paulo Tavares, Alfredo Thiermann, and Ines Weizman. The event is curated by Francisco Díaz, Director of Internationalization at the UC Faculty of Architecture, Design, and Urban Studies. DATe is supported by Fondart Nacional, the UC Vice-Rectorate for Research, and the UC Faculty of Architecture, Design, and Urban Studies.
DATe—Designs, Architectures, & Territories
October 8–9, 2026, Lo Contador Campus, Santiago, Chile
