The link between health and urban development is centuries old. For a long time, urban planning was dedicated to the eradication of disease and injuries. But just as our ideas about health are changing, so is the way we look at health-furthering urban development. The emphasis is shifting from 'cure' to 'care'. We are talking about the socialization of health care. But the conditions under which governments, health care providers and institutions operate, are changing rapidly. Budgets shrink, while the demand for health care continues to increase due to ageing populations. In addition, valuable private initiatives are popping up like mushrooms.
What policies are needed to ensure a healthy and socially inclusive city? How can the government act as a choreographer, and organize a level playing field, and encourage cooperation between wealthy and vulnerable players? And what is the contribution designers can make?
In recent years, in both Belgium and the Netherlands, alternative avenues have been explored and tested through design research and pilot projects, to determine what a future 'caring environment' could be.
With a lecture by Paul Vermeulen (DeSmetVermeulen architecten and involved in IABR–Atelier Utrecht) and interviews with Halewijn Lievens (NU architectuuratelier) and Frederik Leenders (City of Utrecht). The debate is moderated by Joachim Declerck (AWB).
THURSDAY DECEMBER 1
Time: 19.00 - 21.00
Location: Atelier Flemish Government Architect, Ravensteingalerij 54-59, Brussels
Language: Dutch
Admission: free. Register via this link.
Designing the Future sessions
This debate is part of the debates program Designing the Future and is organized by AWB and IABR, with the Flemish Government Architect, the Flemish Association for Spatial Planning and the Brussels Government Architect.
Various global and local challenges present themselves increasingly as complex spatial issues: energy transition, the socialization of health care, sustainable mobility, and others. This has resulted in a renewed belief in the potential of design based on the assumption that it can help us realize the future that we want. At this point in time, there is a need to merge the knowledge, insights and experiences that have been produced. What are the lessons learned? And more importantly, what are the next steps? How can we translate intentions into practice? How and with whom do we start? The Designing the Future sessions are devoted to the development of a shared agenda for designing a better future.
