The Literary Method of Urban Design

The Ecotopia 2121 project employs numerous techniques to study the urban future; for example extrapolations from historical patterns or the anticipated role of new technologies. Another technique it employs is the “Literary Method of Urban Design” which uses literary works to predict likely urban scenarios of the future.

At its simplest, this method comprises three steps:

1. select a work of literature,

2. select a city,

3. use the themes of the selected work of literature to design the future of the selected city.

The best way to see the Literary Method of Urban Design in action is via case studies – a small sample of which are presented:

-in this educational article forecasting the future of the Belgian town of Leuven,

-in this blogpost about the future of the Estonian city of Tartu,

-in this blogpost forecasting the future of various urban settings in the South Wales Valleys,

-in this blogpost depicting the future of the New Zealand city of Napier,

-in this research article showcasing the future of the Hungarian city of Budapest, and

-in this edutainment film displayed below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuzZoIozHZw