Urban Utopian Design Workshop (120 min)

Question: What should a truly livable city block look like?

Class Schedule

Introduction. The facilitators explain the objectives of the workshop (5 minutes)

Assignment #1- draw a single city block where you would most enjoy living. Include: housing, cooking areas, toilets, public & private space, transportation, nature, community interaction. (20 minutes)

Assignment #2 - each participant presents their drawing, explaining a) What’s here? b) Why does it make life better? c) Who is this best designed for? (15 minutes)

Assignment #3 - redesign your block by incorporating at least three ideas from your classmates’ designs. You can also add whatever new features you wish. (15 minutes)

Assignment #4 - - each participant presents their new drawing, explaining a) The changes you made. b) Why you made those changes. c) Who is this now better designed for? (15 minutes)

Assignment #5 - redesign your block, once again, by incorporating at least three ideas from your classmates’ designs. You can also add whatever new features you wish. (15 minutes)

Assignment #6 - each participant presents their final drawing, explaining a) The changes they made. b) Why they made those changes. c) Who is this now better designed for? (15 minutes)

Assignment #7 - secret ballot - students vote on which designs are most beautiful, most equitable, and most realistic? Ballots are given to instructors, who reveal the results to the group. (10 minutes)

Assignment #8 - discuss possibility of presenting the class designs in an art space or as a slide presentation in a theater or church. (10 minutes)

Sample Design Below