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In December 2023, I was invited by Courtney Christensen from Kansas City Public Library to give a keynote to open their 150th anniversary celebrations. In January I learned that ART IN THE LOOP FOUNDATION, the public art program for #KansasCity run by Downtown Council of Kansas City, had been so inspired by the talk that they had chosen #convivencia as the theme for their public art summer with KC STREETCAR AUTHORITY. This is the impact that I hoped to see from my research. In my latest newsletter, Ann Holliday and Edwing Mendez talk about how the capability of #coexistence transformed into more than 20 performances and installations. I find this story of Kansas City so inspiring. The big takeaways from it are: 1. There is no greater tool for communicating values than #publicart. 2. Public authorities have power and should use their power on how public spaces are used as a platform for the arts. 3. The biggest investments in the arts are not done by growing the cultural budget but incorporating the arts into public infrastructure. 4. Even when working on serious subjects, like downturn revitalization, do not forget play and wonder. Read the entire article here: https://lnkd.in/e6P3Y-wc

The increasing popularity of vertical schools in urban settings, driven by growing student populations and limited land availability, presents unique architectural and community challenges. These innovative educational structures are designed to foster community and enhance connectivity within dense urban environments. Vertical schools often incorporate open, multi-functional spaces that promote interaction and collaboration among students and faculty, which are vital for a cohesive educational community. Read more: https://t.ly/7JZxe 📸 by Tensile

What can we do with our visions for a better future? We can prefigure the futures we want to see. My article has just been published in Design Issues! It is both a proposal for how design can support social Justice efforts and an example of design actions that evoke and extend long-term future visions for any topic. https://lnkd.in/g2fYSniY

Playful Learning Landscapes revolutionize urban spaces for equitable education. This PAS Memo reveals the connection between learning science and urban design, showcasing PLL's impact on public spaces, community pride, and education accessibility. https://bit.ly/3uNRcpr

Should it be a requirement that 10% of school time should be creative time? Obviously, it's a solid YES from me 🙋🏻♀️ ------------------- But this is one of a couple of suggestions that has come from a report by Fabian Society. The report (called 'Arts For Us All) investigates how we can democratise access to the arts across Britain (something that is extremely in line with our ethos at ERIC) and break down barriers to cultural engagement. There is a particular focus on access for working-class communities, who face a "class ceiling" in the creative industries. Some of the innovative suggestions they come up with: 💥 Schoolchildren spend 10% of their school time on arts-related activities 💥 A “culture pass” that would offer free access to arts and heritage 💥 A comprehensive review of arts funding 💥 Art displayed in places where “people naturally congregate” (e.g. GP practices, town halls) 💥 An online database of publicly-owned art for viewing in classrooms & home ------------------- Congratulations to Alison Cole, Nathan Lloyd and Flora Dodd on writing a fantastic report, that not only highlights issues but also presents some excellent, tangible solutions! 🙏 Link to the report in the comments! 👇 #artsforall #cretaiveindustries #creativeindustry #creativecareers #accessibility #access

Just attended the "Planning While Black: Sustaining an Inclusive Urban Renaissance" panel at the American Planning Association conference, and I'm truly inspired! It's a powerful reminder of how crucial equity is in urban planning. As planners, we must keep communities at the heart of every decision. Let's commit to making equity and inclusivity the foundation of our work. #UrbanPlanning #EquityInAction #APAConference

New on Parlour: Why do we continue to prioritise grand bastions of public art and culture? How can we shift focus to impactful work that helps the least fortunate in our society? Patrick Kenny explores the issues around social equity and public space, questioning what we choose to value and celebrate. “In a city where the built environment serves as both a canvas for architectural expression and a reflection of societal values, it’s saddening that we continue to gleefully highlight and promote the pomp and vanity of the rich, while generally ignoring the very real plight of the poor that surrounds us... Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting that we need to defund the arts to pay for the homeless, but I’m sure I’m not the only one to see a lacklustre exhibition and wonder how much anyone actually got from it. And when you consider the significant costs to build, heat, insure and secure these gallery spaces, you do start to wonder if some of this funding could be more beneficial elsewhere.” Head to the website to read the full article, which is a thought-provoking read. https://lnkd.in/gBTUH-k6 #socialequity #publicspace #emergencyhousing #priorities

Taking place on the eve of what would have been Stephen Lawrence’s 50th birthday, the launch of “Building Inclusion: A Practical Guide to EDI in Architecture and the Built Environment” by Marsha Ramroop FRSA FIEDP, comes at a significant and fitting time for the sector. Acting as a call to action for leading experts, industry professionals, advocates, postgraduate students, academics and EDI networks to gather, reflect and move forward to bring about tangible change in the sector. The SLRC honour the profound impact that Stephen’s legacy and the Lawrence family’s fight for justice and equity have made within this sector and continues to do. By highlighting the deep-rooted structural inequalities and taking action to help aspiring, yet underrepresented architects to overcome barriers to unleash their potential. Building Inclusion: A Practical Guide to EDI in Architecture and the Built Environment is a combination of advice and frameworks for inclusive behaviours, as well as the policies, procedures and practices to deliver these outcomes. The book will be available to buy on the evening with a percentage of the proceeds from the book going to the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation. #buildinginclusion #architecture #stephenlawrence #stephenlawrenceday #diversity #inclusion

The Rise of the Creative Class: Creative class and innovative city Join us as we explore the transformative insights of Richard Florida's seminal work, "The Rise of the Creative Class." Key Academic Insights: Defining the Creative Class: Identifies a new socio-economic class comprising individuals in various fields who drive innovation and economic growth through creativity. Economic Shifts: Discusses the transition from traditional industrial economies to knowledge-based economies where creativity and intellectual capital are paramount. Urban Transformation: Examines the role of cities as epicenters of the Creative Class, attracting talent through open, diverse, and culturally rich environments. Diversity as a Catalyst: Highlights the importance of diversity and inclusivity in fostering creative environments. Cities embracing diversity thrive economically and culturally. Lifestyle and Economic Growth: Links the lifestyle preferences of the Creative Class to economic development, suggesting that cities need to offer more than just job opportunities to attract and retain talent. Implications for Urban Planning and Policy: Suggests a reorientation of urban development strategies, emphasizing the need to create environments that attract the Creative Class. Global Trend and Local Impact: Positions the rise of the Creative Class as a global trend with significant local implications, reshaping the way cities are planned and developed. Challenges in Transition: Addresses the challenges cities face in transitioning towards being Creative Class hubs, including balancing economic development with cultural investments. Future of Work and Economic Dynamics: Explores how the Creative Class is reshaping the nature of work, the workplace, and the economic dynamics of cities and regions. https://lnkd.in/dJK9dR3z

LAR 555/ARCH 496/590: "Scoring the End Reimagined", taught by Andrew Madl, seeks to address future climate conditions for the city of Memphis, TN by exploring the implementation of geoengineering and speculative infrastructures. Scenario-based design proposals grounded in climate data forecast an outlook for the city through processes of worldbuilding and systemic reorganization. Projections of extreme heat, erratic precipitation events, earthquakes, drought scenarios, and an untamable river fuel the deployment of notional infrastructures throughout the city. The infrastructural performances intend to register and intersect with the complicated pasts, presents, and futures of Memphis, reconciling environmental biases. The work provokes discourse on traditional modes of disseminating design research through engaging animation, digital fabrication, and data visualization to expose social, ecological, and economic opportunities for the larger territorial positioning of Memphis.