Turning Tables: Reporting from the Education Front

Education guides architects and urbanists towards taking up a responsible position in time and space. Through education, it is possible to question, evaluate, relocate and re-identify this position.

UCL Urban Laboratory is contributing to the 15th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia as part of the URBAN LAB+ International Network of Urban Laboratories, responding to this year's theme Reporting from the Front.

Turning Tables: Reporting from the Education Front challenges existing models that simplify, segregate and monopolize urban space. As part of the URBAN LAB+ network, we aim to turn the tables; to step outside the standard university framework and find new ways of preparing for action, for reflecting on and interacting with, the urban environment.

Where is intervention most critical, most effective? How can educational institutions learn from each other, recognize common ground and unite to challenge existing models which simplify, segregate and monopolize urban space? We have observed that although urban issues are complex, space has been simplified, although cultural diversity is rich, daily existence is segregated and although resources are plentiful, access is scarce.

A participative educational program will be developed for the table over the period of the Biennale: interested groups and biennale visitors are invited to participate in the learning exchange at the table and expand or contribute to, the stories initiated by our labs. It will become a space and an educational resource for all in an open-ended process. Accompanying the events at the table, an online platform records and organizes events in real time, but also offers a virtual space and time at the table for distant participants.

We are exhibiting as part of collateral exhibition TIME, SPACE EXISTENCE at Palazzo Mora.

Further links

• Turning Tables - host a learning exchange
  
• Turning Tables - upcoming events page
• La Biennale di Venezia
• URBAN LAB+ International Network of Urban Laboratories