On the future of urban design: Fabricating the future through Bloch’s utopians

Abstract

This article introduces the concept of utopia as presented in the writings of Ernst Bloch in order to propose a definition of utopia that follows from a democratic, dynamic, and open-ended conception. It outlines how Bloch redefined utopia in its different forms and will discuss how his conception of utopia could be a useful methodological tool for evaluating utopia in urban design. It then discusses The Local Project as a case to evaluate the relevance of Bloch’s methodological framework. Through this analysis, the article suggests that The Local Project could be useful in the struggle against globalization through the power of imagination and everyday actions.