Climate Forum

Project development: United Kingdom

The Climate Forum is a research, curriculum, and exchange platform that brings the urgent focus of the climate and ecological emergency to the center of the Spatial Practices program at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, University of the Arts London. Led by Catalina Mejía Moreno, Senior Lecturer in Climate Studies, in collaboration with students and faculty from the Spatial Practices courses, the Climate Forum has been building a collaborative platform where pedagogical initiatives, spatial practices, and projects involving socio-ecological, racial, and environmental justice are highlighted and shared among students and faculty. At the same time, the Climate Forum has worked to consolidate modes of critical thinking that focus on practices of reparation, reciprocity, kinship, and non-extractive practices, whether material, spatial, or otherwise, while articulating methods to better understand the social structures in which we all operate and the spaces of action in which equitable and solidarity-based practices can emerge.

CLIMATE WHEEL: CLIMATE WHEEL: As spatial professionals, we have a duty to move away from practices that degrade the Earth and society. By recognizing climate change as a symptom of a broader problem, we understand that addressing the climate crisis holistically means moving beyond logistical and technocratic "solutions" as mere tools for sustainable construction. This "climate wheel" stems from the project "What is and what can be"—a project that seeks to understand the myriad ways in which architectural and spatial professionals can instead choose life-affirming practices. "What is and what can be" is an ongoing project in the Spatial Practices program (Central Saint Martins, UAL) that seeks to understand how "climate" or "climate issues" are being addressed in classrooms: through the content taught, the work of students, and the teaching practices of professors. The 'climate wheel' builds on a foundation of existing climate action frameworks that shape courses, the profession, and broader discourse. We analyzed 11 frameworks spanning institutional principles, Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) guidance, industry action groups, business certification, and climate justice movements. The words used in the wheel emerge from their terminologies.

This project was conceived and produced in collaboration between the Spatial Practices Climate Forum and MA Architecture (CSM), and supported by UAL's Climate Action Manager, and the CSM's BA Architecture and MA Cities courses.
'What is and what might be' – visit here: https://climate-forum.com/climate-audit-from-what-is-to-what-might-be

Participate in the program of debates, workshops and associated activities!

TODAY (10.10)

2:30 pm – table Risk-Free Periphery in the Context of Climate Change

4pm – table Knowing to Transform: Community Climate Risk Reduction and Adaptation Plans

6:30 pm – table Inclusive Adaptation: Nature-Based Solutions in the Peripheries

9am – Drawing Workshop: Oscar Niemeyer's Architecture in Ibirapuera Park and the Climate Challenge

IN THE NEXT DAYS (11 to 14.10)

ATTENTION the table Palmas: For 36 years, the ecological capital of Tocantins which would be held on 10/11 | 7pm was canceled.

11.10 and 12.10 | 9am – workshop Inventa(rio) Fronteiras: Playing for Multispecies Cities

11.10 | 10am – workshop Elémenterre teaching bag

11.10 | 11am – table Learning to inhabit the Anthropocene: the crisis of architecture

11.10 | 2pm – table Architecture for Learning and Civic Use

11.10 | 3pm – table Culture and Public Architecture

11.10 – 15h – workshop Elémenterre teaching bag

11.10 | 4pm – table Reconnecting with Nature & Circular Design

11.10 | 5pm – table Architecture of Belonging: Interpreting Heritage Through Place

12.10 | 10am – table Experience: Climate Refuges and Naturalized Public Spaces, with Eco-Neighborhood

12.10 | 10:30 am – table Childhoods and Climate: Climate Justice in Vulnerable Territories

12.10 | 10:30 am – Windsock Workshop with the Floating Collective

12.10 | 3pm – table Doing a lot with a little: architectures for a planet in transition with Esteban Benavides from Al Borde office

12.10 | 4:30 pm – table Earth – building a sustainable and democratic future

12.10 | 5:45 pm – table French presence at the Biennale and screening of the film AJAP – Albums of Young Architects and Landscape Architects

13.10 – activity Pantanal Action at IABsp

10/14 | 10am – table Urgent Panorama! Space as an act of permanence

14.10 | 6pm – Launch of the “Nature-Based Education” Guide

JOIN! IT'S ALL FREE!

And there's much more until October 19th!

NOTE OF CONDOLENCE

With deep sorrow, the Brazilian Institute of Architects – São Paulo Department (IABsp) mourns the passing of architect and landscape architect Kongjian Yu, a global leader in ecological urbanism, and the members of his team who accompanied him, tragically killed during the filming of a documentary. The institute is honored to have had him as a participant in the 14th São Paulo International Architecture Biennial, where his transformative vision strengthened the dialogue between global challenges and local realities. IABsp emphasizes that Yu's contribution, which transcends borders, will remain an inspiration for generations and expresses its condolences to China, to the families of all the deceased, to his friends, and to all those impacted by his genius and dedication. Read the full note here.

Climate Forum, Spatial Practices, Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London