HEALING THE CITY 2020 – 2050
In search of an Ecological Utopia
Master dissertation studio, academic year 2020-21, Ghent
Tutor: Luc Eeckhout (Climate Design https://www.facebook.com/Climate.Design.Kul.Gent.Brussel/)
- SUMMARY:
We urgently need new future prospects.
A collective ecological utopia that we can believe in together.
A view of a better, healthier and safer environment for all of us.
Do you dare to search for this ecological utopia?
Climate breakdown, mass extinctions, and extreme inequality threaten the earth’s rich tapestry of life and leave our own fate increasingly uncertain. At a time of such social, political and ecological upheaval, it’s natural to dream of a utopian world in which these problems are no more – in fact, people have been doing it for centuries.
The Conversation – utopia isn’t just idealistic fantasy
HOW DO WE WANT TO LIVE
in respect with our planet?
this simple question remains unanswered
HOW DO WE WANT TO LIVE
in respect with our planet?
we look for possible answers and design our own livable future
- Research and Design
A vision for the future arises from specific research. Research points to today’s urgent questions. The solutions show us the path to tomorrow.
Do you dare to research for a better future?
THE ABSENCE OF MAN
man seems to have left nature
he fails to live with nature
THE ABSENCE OF NATURE
man seems to have left nature
he lives in a petrified world, separate from nature
WE NEED NATURE
nature is part of the solution
the absence of nature
in the way we work is the problem
THIS PLANET GIVES US EVERYTHING
we never give back
we need a regenerative culture
THE CLIMATE CITY
less city, more nature,
the city becomes nature
- The Ghent Principles
In this studio, we work within a clear framework, by applying the Ghent Principles, we change possible solutions.
The Ghent principles will make your ecological utopia future proof.
Start by studying the 10 principles.
#1 Start the future now: learn, innovate, experiment
#2 Create the new healthy default for 2040
#3 Strengthen the commons, move from me to we
#4 Put nature first – nature becomes the key player
#5 Interconnect your project with the urban fabric
#6 Create proximity and design super locality
#7 Plan change, design for the future
#8 Encourage function mix and mixed use
#9 Close cycles and avoid waste
#10 Create a cascade of positive impact
- Examples of an Ecological Utopia
Existing utopian examples show us the way.
They tell us that we must dare to think radically and innovate.
We are looking for ways to do things differently, especially
for daily needs such as energy, water, food, mobility.
- Links, Books, Articles
It is not possible to succeed without your personal research and without building your personal vision. So, start your research today. It will change your life and your vision of life forever.
For all links + books read the pdf
Wikipedia Utopia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utopia
Thomas More – Utopia / free download
https://manybooks.net/titles/morethometext00utopi10.html#
Utopia as a driver of social change and as a source of inspiration for innovation in science and technology. https://www.utopia500.net
BBC Culture – How Utopia shaped the world:
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20160920-how-utopia-shaped-the-world
The Good Place? Tracing utopia and dystopia through literature
https://blog.europeana.eu/2020/06/the-good-place-tracing-utopia-and-dystopia-through-literature/
The Conversation – Imagining both utopian and dystopian climate futures is crucial – which is why cli-fiis so important: https://theconversation.com/imagining-both-utopian-and-dystopian-climate-futures-is-crucial-which-is-why-cli-fi-is-so-important-123029
The Conversation – Utopia isn’t just idealistic fantasy – it inspires people to change the world
https://theconversation.com/utopia-isnt-just-idealistic-fantasy-it-inspires-people-to-change-the-world-118962
Curbed – What I learned from a year in utopias – 2019 saw a flood of interest in idealized ways to live. But to what end? https://www.curbed.com/2019/12/23/21032132/failed-utopias-2019-nice-try
Future scenarios for an (un-)built environnement.
https://www.desiredspaces.be
Singapore 2219 Superflux https://www.fastcompany.com/90454568/step-inside-an-apartment-from-the-climate-change-ravaged-future
Luc Eeckhout – Climate Design
luc.eeckhout@kuleuven.be
architect – urban planner, guest lecturer KU Leuven
Climate Design https://www.facebook.com/Climate.Design.Kul.Gent.Brussel/
