Regionalism has dominated architecture in almost all countries at
some time during the past two centuries and a half. By way of
general definition we can say that it upholds the individual and
local architectonic features against more universal and abstract
ones. In addition, however, regionalism bears the hallmark of
ambiguity. On the one hand, it has been associated with
movements of reform and liberation;. . . on the other, it has proved
a powerful tool of repression and chauvinism. . . . Certainly, critical
regionalism has its limitations. The upheaval of the populist
movement – a more developed form of regionalism – has brought
to light these weak points. No new architecture can emerge
without a new kind of relations between designer and user, without
out new kinds of programs. . . . Despite these limitations critical
regionalism is a bridge over which any humanistic architecture of
the future must pass.