METABOLISM - Exploring urban green spaces and local metabolic systems in Berlin and its environments
The greenlab 13.0 studio project METABOLISM in Summer Term 2024 will be focusing on the dynamic interplay between nature and culture, urban green spaces and the interconnected resources within our cities and their surrounding areas. We will embark on a journey to reimagine our cities as vibrant, green, and interconnected spaces that nurture both people and the planet, in particularly addressing Berlin as our starting point.
In an age where cities are facing unprecedented challenges related to climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource management, the role of urban green spaces becomes increasingly crucial. These spaces are not just aesthetically pleasing additions to our urban landscapes; they are essential components of resilient, sustainable, and livable cities. Moreover, they are intimately connected to the broader ecological, social, and economic fabric of the regions they inhabit. This studio project seeks to delve into these interconnections and understand how urban ecosystems can be leveraged to foster more harmonious relationships between humans, nature, and the built environment. What role can and should designers have in shaping these futures?
The key topics of the project include but are not limited to:
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Ecological resilience and biodiversity in urban environments;
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The social and cultural significance of urban green spaces;
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Creative interventions in urban landscapes;
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Community engagement and participatory urban approaches;
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Material choices – natural and man-made – their origins and impact during material lifecycles of use and disposal;
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Strategies for circular production;
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Sustainable resource management within cities;
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Interconnection of resources and local value chains;
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Policy frameworks and planning strategies for integrating green infrastructure.
The studio project will start with a one-day symposium, which brings together a diverse range of artists, designers, researchers, urban planners, ecologists, and community activists to explore the multifaceted dimensions of urban greenery, its entanglements and our complex relationship with nature within this context. This will be closely followed by intensive input workshops and investigative city walks through Berlin and it’s various environments accompanied by invited experts.
A particular focus within the studio project will be held on data visualization and material mapping methods as useful tools for our design journey.
The project will be accompanied by a theory seminar led by Prof. Dr. Lucy Norris taking place on Thursday mornings.
