Utopian Thinking Today: Idealism or Escapism?

On the 500th anniversary of Thomas More’s Utopia, utopian thinking is back in fashion. Is utopia an unattainable ideal, or does it offer the sort of vision that is necessary to promote change? Is the idea of utopia only celebrated today because it is a fantasy with no practical consequences?

Speakers:

• Lieven De Cauter
  Philosopher, art historian, writer and activist; lecturer in philosophy of culture, RITCS, School of Arts & Department of Architecture
• Penny Lewis
  Lecturer, Scott Sutherland School of Architecture, Robert Gordon University; co-founder, AE Foundation
• Ward Verbakel
  Partner at plusoffice architects, Adj. Prof. At KULeuven
• Ken De Cooman
  Architect at BC Architects & Studies

Chair:

• Alastair Donald
  Associate director, Future Cities Project; architecture programme manager, British Council

This event is a co-production of the Future Cities Project and the Flanders Architecture Institute.