Matchmaking China - Photo: NAi

In many parts of the world people are struggling with acute spatial challenges ranging from environmental issues and housing shortages to rising water levels. Architecture can play a part in helping to find answers to these problems. The NAI aims to draw attention these issues, prioritising them at national and local level, and addressing them through research and debate. The Matchmaking Programme of the NAI brings expertise and challenges together.

Right now (2012) the focus is on two countries: India and China. The Asian catalysts of growth are facing an array of complex problems, problems that call for innovative, sustainable solutions. Architecture can be instrumental in effecting positive change. Drawing on its international network, the NAI connects Dutch architects with local architects and with a local project developer to work on finding solutions together. Using the Matchmaking Programme, the NAI can highlight a variety of urgent issues at international level and take action to address them through research, discussion, design and implementation.

In 2012, the NAI started a second Matchmaking Programme in India. A Matchmaking Programme is also being developed in Brazil, and there are plans for launching similar projects in Turkey and Russia.