As we prepare our cities for the future, facing ongoing crises like climate change, social inequalities, population growth, and resource scarcity, we must also consider the needs of the other beings who we share our urban spaces with. Although urban planners and designers have developed tools to accommodate biodiversity, we still don’t fully understand the needs, desires, habits, and fears of the more-than-human worlds that surround us.
In this workshop, we will explore new ways to connect and strengthen the bond between urban communities and the non-human species that inhabit our cities through design. We will imagine what it’s like to scavenge canals for nest-building materials, navigate between glass towers at high-speed using sonar waves, stretch a lichen body in ultra-slow motion towards a moist crack, or search for food scraps in dark alley garbage bins. Together, we will practice shifting our perspectives, attuning to the more-than-human world, and uncovering the intricate web of entanglements that binds us.
These experiences will be documented and shared through drawing and collaging, and the insights gained will not only deepen our empathy for the more-than-human world but also inform and inspire future designs, guiding urban planners and designers in creating cities that are more inclusive, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of all species.
