Imagined Cities at the Folkestone Triennial

As part of the Folkestone Triennial, this two-day event looks at the relationship between art and architecture in the way that cities and towns are planned and built, as well as how they are experienced as places to live, work, play and learn.

The conference is inspired by the tagline - 'A City Imagined' - for East Kent's controversial bid to become City of Culture 2017. The bid created an imagined city that included one official city (Canterbury), two towns (Ashford and Dover), a district (Shepway, including Folkestone) and the 'Isle' of Thanet. The bid failed to make the shortlist but provoked a lively debate about our preconceived ideas around architecture and urbanism, and how we might re-imagine the notion of the city.

The first day brings together artists, architects, planners and thinkers to explore issues around masterplanning. The second day looks at the impact of culture-led regeneration, its legitimacy, challenges and legacy, with particular focus on the Kent coast.

Keynote speakers include Sir Terry Farrell (architect) and Jude Kelly (artistic director, Southbank Centre). Other speakers include Ben Campkin (director, UCL Urban Laboratory), Pablo Bronstein, Brigitte Orasinski, Mark Davy, Diane Dever, Owen Hatherley, Sam Jacob, Sue Jones, Kieran Long, Fred Manson, Anna Minton, Rowan Moore, muf architecture/art, Victoria Pomery, Vicky Richardson, Darren Smith, Something & Son, Gabor Stark, Wouter Vanstiphout, Finn Williams

Click here to book a weekend ticket - £20 / £15 concessions

Click here to book a day ticket - £15 / £10 concessions

Click here to download the Imagined Cities Itinerary pdf