MAKING THE FUTURE PERSONAL: THE ROLE OF SPECULATIVE FUTURES IN CLIMATE CHANGE PLANNING

Back to Page Authors: Johanna Hoffman

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Keywords: speculative futures, urban planning, community engagement, visioning

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Abstract: This paper explores the role of speculative futures and design in helping vulnerable communities plan for climate change. So often when we learn about the effects of climate change, we think “what can I really do?” or “where do I start?” Studies show that translating climate data in multi-sensory ways to engage people on personal levels is critical in addressing this issue. When people see what change means for their lives, families, and communities, they are more inspired and motivated to act. Inviting people to inhabit a speculative future engages them in the potential ramifications of climate change on this highly personal level. The paper provides an overview of precedents for using speculative futures in creative climate change planning, and focus on one community-based planning project in particular: Climate Stories, a multi-sensory installation of what the world could be like in 50 years.

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