Democratic Design—Roundtable

Our democracy is facing difficult times. Some people have lost faith in social engagement, withdrawing instead into protest or disillusionment. Others seek greater participation but are denied equal access. In light of a growing need for common ground, transdisciplinary thinking and putting people first, it is vital to strengthen democratic awareness, foster participation and support urgently needed social cohesion. To secure democracy for the future, it will be especially important to make the young generation feel part of decision-making processes and their built environment and thus to evoke a feeling of responsibility and partaking. The role of architects in this context is also changing. This change needs to be addressed in institutions, universities and educational programmes. The fourth Lab Talk within the Aedes programme Democratic Design will bring design and education together, discuss new ways of integrating democratic values in architecture education and ask: How can we teach democratic values and participation through planning and designing to a new generation? How can we value the young generation and their culture on a social level in the public space instead of focussing one-dimensionally on the economic viability of places? In the last decade, a new European generation of architects has emerged: How do young architects in Europe react to the challenges of today?

Matthew Springett, Fiona MacDonald, Directors MATT+FIONA, London

Scott Lloyd, TEN Studio, Zurich/Belgrade

Angelika Hinterbrandner, @ahinterbrandner, Policy Advisor and Author, Berlin

Tatjana Schneider, Professor, Braunschweig