Infrastructural Optimism – Lecture by Linda C. Samuels – Feb. 11, 2022

Infrastructural Optimism is based broadly on the concept that everyone deserves to believe in a better future – for themselves, our society, and the planet – and that the design and production of infrastructure, our largest public space, should be contributing to that better future rather than detracting from it. To shift the paradigm away from last generation infrastructure, designers must work collaboratively across disciplines, recognize the value of environmental interdependencies, and prioritize equitable investments to improve quality of life for all.

[Littlebird-creative]

Incredible, Linda! Just re-watched this and it is so relevant to my work here in Bengaluru. I really appreciate the added "reparative" aspect to this. I'm currently seeing how a lot of the development in Bengaluru is following a very similar pattern as we have seen in the US along transportation corridors. These strip developments are depleting the clustering configuration of the village and cutting right through with 100m wide corridors. I'm studying the Satellite Town Ring Road group 2 which is being developed near the University I'm studying and alongside a river. When thinking of this landscape, I am excited to test out these Next-Gen Infrastructure criteria in this particular space. Thank you for your and your many students' hard work on all of this. It is an excellent scaffolding for projects to come.

[atrakas]

Excellent talk! Could you share the link for the Belmont workshop(s)?