2022

Designing Urban Imaginaries, Shenzhen

A design program promoting active engagement in climate protection at various levels.

The edition of the exhibition “Imaginaries,” which was previously presented at the Vienna Biennale of Change at the MAK in 2021 under the title CLIMATE CARE — Reimagining Shared Planetary Futures, has been adapted for the 9th Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture (UABB) in Shenzhen, China. The central theme is architectural responses and strategies in the context of global climate change.
Drawing on a collection of ideas and concrete pilot projects, people from various disciplines are invited to collaborate and reflect together on the existence of scenarios that could help us transition from the current unsustainable situation to circular thinking and the advocacy of radical care.
Through a series of original, self-directed projects, a diverse group of distinguished and emerging designers, architects, and urban planners have presented proactive initiatives addressing real-world challenges. Set within a souk-style exhibition layout, the projects demonstrate, through their physical connections, an integrated and inclusive approach; ranging from a local-scale drinking fountain system to global infrastructure projects.
The exhibition presents a conceptual toolkit that inspires a collaborative network through design via teaching, research, and the development of concrete projects. It proposes a new design agenda with thoughtful design projects across various scales of climate protection.

Curators — Melanie Fessel, Hubert Klumpner, and Michael Walczak (urbanthinktank_next and ETH Zurich)
Exhibition Design — Ruedi & Vera Baur, Maren Hollmann (integral designers ∫, dix—milliards—humains)