Where to build the walls that protect us (#2)
Leeds, 2016.
New iteration commissioned by Compass Festival (after original version commissioned by Kaleider, and supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and Exeter City Coiuncil).
Where to build the walls that protect us is an opportunity for us all to imagine a future city. Our city of Leeds… An architect or planner might call this sort of process a ‘charrette’ – a term that’s used to describe an intensive, collaborative enquiry that seeks to solve a complex design issue. Perhaps that sounds rather dry and dusty, but you should be assured that this is going to be an exercise in serious play. We’ll try not to get too distracted by Utopian visions. Or to worry too much about logistics. But, with one eye on the persistent fiscal crisis and the challenges of climate change, and the other on Hope, let’s look again at the fundamental fabric of our city and envisage it afresh.
This new iteration, commissioned by Compass Festival, Leeds, combined themed excursions with city experts (a Leeds councillor, a data analyst, a social entrepreneur and an architect) and city model-making as one experience. It comprised eight 90-minute sessions (two for each of the four project themes).
Images: Stephen Hodge, Stephen Daniels.