Conference

The Design & The City conference will be moderated by Tracy Metz.

Over the past few years, new models for citymaking have emerged. For example, we see 'tactical’ interventions that gradually test and develop ideas for urban improvement, buildings groups that have pulled resources together to develop parts of the city collaboratively, and ‘hackable cities’ in which various stakeholders work together towards the realization of collective goals. What do these developments mean for the ways we shape our cities?

From the smart city and the civic economy to the rise of social design: in our contemporary cities, experiments with new modes for social and economic organization abound. How can we ensure a citizen-centered perspective in these developments? And what role can designers play in this process?

The rise of the smart city has led to an enormous increase in the amount of data on urban life. But who collects these data and to what ends? And to what extent are citizens aware of this and can they understand how these data are used? In turn, can citizens also gather their own data or use existing datasets to better understand their surroundings and hold those in charge accountable?

Summary of the main issues of the day, and looking ahead into the future.