How should cities evolve to respond to today’s urban challenges? What is the role of design in ensuring that the essence of cities is maintained, offering both communication and mobility? These questions and many others were discussed at the first meeting of citizen participation in Àgora València to discuss design and city, as a preview of the “World Design Policy Conference” that will bring together in València the main actors in decision-making on design policies and will be held on November 3 and 4 at the Palacio de Congresos.
Participating in this meeting were Silvana Andrés, graduate in Fine Arts and founder of Arquilecturas; David Estal, architect and advisor to the City Council of Valencia; Marta Serrano, managing director of the EMT València; Juan Salvador, graphic designer and curator of the exhibition “Urban Graphics of Valencia. A project of Letras Recuperadas de Juan Nava”.
From the design of cities for children, to the importance of mobility, the withdrawal of private vehicles, visual cleanliness or respect for the graphic heritage, through the solutions provided by the design in all areas have been the topics discussed at the meeting. A debate open to the participation of all and moderated by Kike Correcher, director of the Design Policy Congress.
Beyond their profile, all participants have defined themselves as activists in the city. Each one contributed their point of view to the questions posed by Kike Correcher, such as the aspects that make the city less pleasant, possible solutions or examples of other cities.