Our session “Imagining Adaptation to Climate Change through Art” explored how the intersection of science and the arts can catalyse alternative imaginaries of climate adaptation in urban environments.
On Monday, April 22nd, our team hosted an engaging online session as part of The Nature of the Cities Festival. Titled “Imagining Adaptation to Climate Change through Art,” the session explored how the intersection of science and the arts can catalyse alternative imaginaries of climate adaptation in urban environments.
During the session, our team explained how differing perspectives on adaptation can profoundly impact climate initiatives in cities. We emphasized the role of art, particularly visual art, in rendering adaptation strategies more tangible and pertinent within local contexts.
To kick off the interactive segment, we encouraged participants to sketch their cities as they currently saw them. These drawings served as a springboard for discussions on participants’ preferences and concerns regarding their urban environments.
Following this initial exercise, participants were tasked with envisioning their cities adapting to climate change. Using their original sketches as a foundation, they creatively integrated modifications to address climate-related risks. Subsequent discussions centered on how these adaptations strengthened urban resilience while also acknowledging constraints imposed by their original drawings.
In a final activity, participants were encouraged to sketch their vision of an ideal city on fresh sheets of paper. Here, amidst creative reflections, attendees shared their aspirations for cities effectively addressing climate challenges without imposed constraints.
We concluded the session reflecting on our collaborative efforts with a professional illustrator to depict 31 adaptation concepts. We shared challenges such as catering to diverse audiences, achieving a balance between simplicity and detail, and employing symbolic elements to convey key messages. We presented some of the illustrations produced showcasing adaptation strategies in cities and offering visual examples of adaptation in action.
The session provided a refreshing and innovative approach to creating alternative imaginaries of urban adaptation. We were privileged to exchange ideas with a diverse cohort of international creatives, each contributing unique perspectives to the discourse.
Thank you to everyone who participated, in particular those that kindly shared their amazing illustrations with us!
IMAGINE Adaptation at The Nature of the Cities Festival
Our session "Imagining Adaptation to Climate Change through Art" explored how the intersection of science and the arts can catalyse alternative imaginaries of climate adaptation in urban environments.
read more
First Expert Board Meeting
Last week, on April 17, IMAGINE Adaptation held the first meeting with our board of experts after the kick off.
read more
Become an IMAGINE Adaptation Case Study
Is your city interested in learning more about and developing your approach to monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and learning of urban adaptation? If so, apply to collaborate with us and become an IMAGINE Adaptation Case Study!
read more
Intersectional approaches for intersecting crises
In this article featured in The Conversation Spain, Ana explains how climate vulnerability is defined by the intersection of different social positions, such as gender, ethnicity, ability, and social class.
read more
Imagining Adaptation through Art
Only by understanding what good adaptation looks like, can we think of how to evaluate it. Read on to learn how we investigated the views of 100 local adaptation professionals to create a broader understanding of adaptation success.
read more
How will we know when we are adapting?
The IMAGINE Adaptation team is in the process of synthesising key approaches to monitoring, evaluating, reporting and learning (MERL) for adaptation projects, aiming to reduce uncertainty for local actors involved in adaptation management. Keep reading to find out how you can get involved.
read more
950 years of adaptation expertise
Our team interviewed 50 of the most eminent climate adaptation experts to understand how their worldviews and experiences help understand the current state of the field, its trajectory, and the pathways forward. Here we share a preview of the process and conversations.
read more
Adaptation: Preparation and Review – An Example from Melbourne
Examples from Melbourne on what a city can do by refreshing its Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.
read more
The superpowers of art and storytelling for climate adaptation
Narratives are increasingly being used to support climate change adaptation in cities, and creative approaches like art and storytelling are key to achieving it.
read more
Are we doing the right things or are we doing things right? Can we do both?
A MERL tool for climate change adaptation in Victoria, Australia. How to help councils in their endeavour of climate change adaptation through reflection and action.
read more