On April 21, at the University of Georgia, a public lecture was delivered for architecture program students by the renowned architect and educator Osamu Okamura, who works on urban livability and the interpretation of urban spaces.
Mr. Okamura currently serves as the Director of the Czech Centre Tbilisi (since 2025). Over the years, he has held a number of significant academic and professional positions, including: Visiting Professor at the Tokyo University of Science; Dean of the Faculty of Art and Architecture at the Technical University of Liberec; member and chair of urbanism and public space development committees in Prague. He is also a curator of international festivals and projects, former editor-in-chief of the architectural journal ERA21, and a nominee for the prestigious Mies van der Rohe Award.
His book "City for Everyone: A Manual of Urbanism for Beginners" has received international architectural awards.
During the meeting, students of the University of Georgia’s architecture program had the opportunity to directly engage with Okamura’s practical experience. The public lecture focused on the possibilities of urban development and the key components necessary for sustainable city planning, drawing on international practices. Students were also introduced, through presentations, to the stages of project implementation, particularly in the context of urban transformation.
The concluding part of the event was dedicated to a discussion, during which students explored current urban development challenges and potential solutions using specific city examples such as Batumi, Tbilisi, and Kutaisi—issues that are directly linked to architectural development.
“First of all, I would like to thank the University of Georgia for the invitation and the opportunity to meet with the students. Today, together with the students, we will discuss in detail the possibilities of urban livability. By sharing my experience, I aim to convince future architects that professional success depends on choosing the right spatial context and understanding how important it is to always respect and preserve the boundaries with the natural environment.” said Osamu Okamura.
