WHAT DESIGN CAN DO FOR URBAN ISSUES

AMSTERDAM, 22 MAY 2015

HELLO. WHAT DESIGN CAN DO FOR URBAN ISSUES…

INTRODUCING GRAHAM STURT CREATIVE DIRECTOR VBAT

INTRODUCING STEFAN SAGMEISTER SAGMEISTER&WALSH

Currently half the world’s population live in cities. Year on year this number is set to continue growing.

Whilst the experience of living in a city is generally a positive one, with living space becoming tighter issues will inevitably arise.

The recent rise of megacities in Asia and the Americas, such as Shanghai, Mexico City, Jakarta, and Mumbai, has already taught us how their rapid growth has spawned associated Urban Issues such as: • Overcrowding • Poor waste management • Mobility problems • Air pollution • Bad energy supply

With these problems projected to grow explosively worldwide in the near future, we feel now is the time for greater awareness to be raised amongst the young design community in Europe.

Our ultimate aim, in doing this, is to find new design solutions for these problems to prevent European cities, such as Amsterdam, from going down the same path.

How can we inspire young designers to engage with Urban Issues in Amsterdam?

Q.

#asksagmeister

#asksagmeister

Have you visited any of the so-called megacities? If so, what particular urban issues did you experience whilst visiting them?

#asksagmeister

Q.

New York (New Amsterdam)

In the many years you’ve lived in New York what changes have you noticed in respect to Urban Issues?

#asksagmeister

Q.

Welcome to Amsterdam

You are here

Urban Issues in Amsterdam?

• Overcrowding • Noise • Drunken tourism • Trash

• Loss of green spaces • Air pollution • Transportation • Loneliness

“Mass tourism can kill a city.”— The Guardian

What do you think will be the biggest issues facing city dwellers in the future?

#asksagmeister

Q.

How can we use design to make the people of Amsterdam really feel the urgency of sustainability?

#asksagmeister

Q.

— Babette Porcelijn

Are there any designers engaged in Urban Issues projects that inspire you?

Q.

#asksagmeister

“Ensure it feels like it's made by humans, for humans.”— Stefan Sagmeister

How can we use design to make city living a happier experience?

#asksagmeister

Q.

What’s the best design solution you’ve seen for an Urban Issue?

#asksagmeister

Q.

• Airbnb • Uber • Shutter projects

Urban Issues Solutions

• Smart Traffic Lights • Pocket Parks • Smartphone zombie lanes

Urban Issue: Empty city retail units

Urban Issues Solution 1.0

Urban Issues Solution 1.0

Urban Issue: Safely crossing city streets

Urban Issue Solution 1.0

Urban Issue Solution 2.0

Urban Issue: Finding somewhere affordable to stay

Urban Issue: Affordable travel around the city

Urban Issue: Loss ofgreen space

Urban Issue: Smartphone zombies

Urban Issue: Obsessions make my Life worse and my Work better

Urban Issue: Unloved spaces

Is your agency, Sagmeister & Walsh, working on any other design projects that touch on Urban Issues?

#asksagmeister

Q.

THE NEXT GENERATION?

WHAT ABOUT

Wesley St. Joost

“How can I make it clear that young designers should take a stand in society?”

Q.

— Wesley van Groenland

How do you think that design students can get more involved with urban issues?

#asksagmeister

Q.

What do you think are the biggest Urban Issues that young designers really need to think about?

#asksagmeister

Q.

What can the next generation teach us about Urban Issues?

#asksagmeister

Q.

#digital

“Any excuse to get away from the computer screen is welcome."— Stefan Sagmeister

#asksagmeister

The Future?

Solutions can simply be something that stimulates you.

#asksagmeister

Why not turn a problem into an opportunity?

#asksagmeister

Let’s make something from this?

#asksagmeister

THANK YOU STEFAN SAGMEISTER

THE WISE & THE CURIOUS Q&A | WDCD | 22 MAY 2015