CONCRETE UTOPIAS
prefigurating alternative futures in the face of capitalist cities
Online Lecture Series from 28 May to 25 June 2025
By designing alternative futures and visions of a better life for all, utopias reveal the potential for the necessary socio-ecological transformation for a post-capitalist society. The concept of concrete utopias supplements the level of pure imagination of the possible with its concrete testing in the here and now. Based on this assumption, the lecture series undertakes an exploration of these here and now practices of possible futures for social transformation. The aim is to create a comprehensive perspective of alternative urban production, which is made possible by utopian thinking and prefigurative practice. Hereby, we also want to take a closer look at various empirical examples and discuss approaches for a possible research agenda.
The lecture series is organised by the Chair of Planning Theory and Analysis of Urban and Regional Policies of the Institute of Urban and Regional Planning (TU Berlin) and addresses scholars, students, and the interested public.
PROGRAMME
28/05/25
Utopian Citizenship: from South African neighbourhoods to a Mediterranean border
Laura Silva (Paris School of Economics)
04/06/25
Thinking from the kitchen: towards radically caring urban futures through collective cooking
Susanne Hübl (Universität Münster)
11/06/25
Compass for a solidary neighborhood – real utopias for the city of tomorrow
Maximilian Hellriegel (SoWo Leipzig) and
Sara Schmitt Pacifico (Stadt Frankfurt am Main)
18/06/25
Prefigurative politics and the capitalist city
Laura Monticelli (independent researcher)
25/06/25
Prefigurative planning: enacting utopias in the here and now
Simin Davoudi (Newcastle University)
28 May - 25 June 2025,
Wednesdays 5 - 6 pm (CET)
ZOOM:
https://tu-berlin.zoom-x.de/meeting/register/_9ObhoSbQau069BmGvAAeg
Information & Contact:
