Imagining Alternative Futures: An Action Lab on Climate, Equity, and Design of our Built Environment

In our daily work as designers, planners, and creators, we often focus on practical solutions to real-world problems. But what if we dared to break away from convention? This workshop welcomes participants from all disciplines to step beyond familiar frameworks and imagine alternative futures—visions of cities and spaces that are more equitable, resilient, and sustainable.

Drawing inspiration from visionary authors like Octavia Butler and Ursula K. Le Guin, along with the vibrant world of solarpunk art, this session will stretch our creative boundaries. It’s a space to rethink possibilities, connect with peers who share your passions, and explore new ways of thinking.

Throughout the workshop, participants will work collaboratively in small teams to design creative solutions for climate equity, urban resilience, and inclusive spaces. The ideas generated will culminate in a collective art piece or mind map—a visual representation of the futures we imagine together.

Come prepared to sketch, brainstorm, and rethink the built environment in a way that challenges assumptions and opens doors to new possibilities. Whether your solutions are simple or fantastical, they will add to our collective, collaborative vision!

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