Exploring new relationships between ecology, culture, and urban transformation
During Manifesta 16 Ruhr, Ecological Futures presented its ongoing research into alternative forms of urban transformation. Bringing together architects, artists, researchers, and local communities, the programme explored how existing places can become starting points for imagining more sustainable futures. Through talks, workshops, and collective discussions, participants reflected on themes such as adaptive reuse, community-led design, and the relationship between urban landscapes and ecological systems.
Rather than approaching transformation as a process of replacement, Ecological Futures investigates how cities can evolve by learning from what already exists.