Part of Festival of the Future City 2017
Three days of lectures, discussions, panels, pop up pavilions, walks, family events and more – join us to explore urban development in the 21st-century. Festival themes include 'Housing, the artist & the city' and 'What makes architecture great?'
With a focus on the complexities of a place like Bath, a city similar to Venice with UNESCO world heritage status, how should cities reinvigorate their character and economy when looking to the future?
Festival highlights
Thurs 19 Oct
The Utopian City
3 to 8pm, Various locations
Events suggesting how utopian thinking could develop our cities, and what utopian aspects are already in place. Including ‘Walking Utopia’ a walk around Bath with writer and critic Owen Hatherley – author of A Guide To The New Ruins Of Great Britain and an evening of ‘Liveable Cities’ presentations on ‘Bath 2030′
Fri 20 Oct
Whose City Is It?
1to 8pm Assembly Rooms Bath
Taking in the complexities of a place like Bath we look at the local question of future city. What are the best ways to develop an ecosystem for all to contribute economically, and benefit by return? Is public space an answer? Explore the challenges of preserving architectural heritage whilst creating new buildings and welcoming new populations with leading architect Alison Brooks’ (Bath Western Riverside housing scheme), Henrietta Billings, Director of SAVE Britain’s Heritage, Andrew Vines of Historic England, Jim Heverin, Director at Zaha Hadid Architects and more. In the evening a public lecture KEN LOACH features the film-maker’s vision for Bath, a city he has lived in for many years.
Sat 21 Oct
The Creative City
12.30 to 5.30pm, The Edge, University of Bath
What makes a city a great place to live? Explore radical housing solutions, the city as artistic inspiration and 21st Century design. Speakers during the day include Stuart Woods (Thomas Heatherwick Studio, Garden Bridge project) Anna Minton (Big Capital), Alex Vasudevan (The Autonomous City), The Design Museum’s Justin McGuirk and artist Rut Blees Luxemburg a photographer and installation artist focusing on urban space.
#futurecity17
In association with Bristol Festival of Ideas.
Supported by RIBA, Bath & North East Somerset Council, Arts Council England, Bath Preservation Trust, Heritage Lottery Fund, Lovell Stone
