Exercise 5: Researching contemporary manifestos

Using contemporary design journals and/or online resource, research and find a

contemporary manifesto, or statements or sentences from a recent manifesto

document – i.e. one published within the last 24 months. The quotes that you find

should have some relevance to issues concerning interior or spatial design today,

and also, be ideas that you are happy to adopt or apply in your own design work.

Record your findings in your learning log, and reflect on the issues raised in the

manifesto that you have found. Make reference to how they relate to your own

practice of interior and spatial design.

Fig. 1 A rendering of a car-free Paris produced by Es Devlin Studio

I found a brilliant manifesto by Es Devlin, written for Dezeen 15 Digital Festival in 2021. I liked it because it was easy to read, unlike other manifestos I’ve read, that were written in a pompous tone and used complicated language. Es Devlin’s manifesto is titled ‘Swap cars for trees’ and the whole text can be found here: https://www.dezeen.com/2021/11/01/november-2036-every-city-swapped-cars-for-trees-says-es-devlin/amp/

It’s a dream like story, imagining what the world could be like in just 15 years (at the time of writing) – in 2036. 

She mentions every product made and sold would have entire life cycle, including servicing and recycling / disposal at the end incorporated in the transaction. Wouldn’t that be just amazing? If the businesses instead of caring for making quick profit,  cared about how their product will affect nature in the end? Not only at end of life, but during production too. The lifespan of products would be extended by having prepared servicing etc.

This led to the next point raised in the manifesto: Designers and architects would have to sign an oath to do no harm to the planet. That’s why every product sold would have servicing, repairs, parts available throughout its entire life span. On the other hand, I’m a little worried about the economy, wouldn’t that cause a massive recession? Isn’t the GDP supposed to be growing? Less consumption will lower the growth. 

But if we continue on the current path then we will destroy the planet and humankind. 

I am also curious how construction of new buildings will develop, currently construction is the biggest landfill waste contributor. 

The title of manifesto is ‘Swap cars for trees’ and it proposes pedestrianising all city centres on the entire planet and planting trees instead of having parking spaces. This would improve general health and quality of life. It would also reduce pedestrian and cyclists’ mortal accidents. All this would be facilitated by improved public transport, cycling lanes etc.

Essential workers would live in affordable, cleverly designed micro homes.

It is a bold proposal, one that sounds utopian. 

It sounds amazing, but my initial feeling was of not believing it could happen, with economy shrinking who would spend that sort of money. The world would need a tru revolution to make it happen, however…

The manifesto mentioned Oslo pedestrianised its city centre in 2019. I checked it out and according to the article I read about it, the change has made the city centre a destination (as opposed to going out of town). The city centre also became attractive residential area (due reduced noise and pollution) and the footfall in the shops within the area has increased by 10%. (https://www.wired.co.uk/article/oslo-pedestrianisation) 

The manifesto compares the change to the smoking bans implemented since 2006. How it denormalised smoking. Es Devlin believes it will be similar with this change, and car free city centres can soon become a new norm.

A few years ago, my tv broke. It was only 4 years old. Yet it could not be repaired due to lack of parts available. Current mentality of every business is: why repair if we could sell more and increase profits? This has to change. I remember feeling bitter about having to dispose this large appliance, complete waste of resources with such a negative impact on the environment. 

I liked this manifesto for it dreamy tone. A gentle nod towards sustainability benefitting everyone. Lets hope and see…

List of illustrations:

Fig. 1 Es Devlin Studio (n.d.) A rendering of a car-free Paris. [Visual] At: https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2021/11/es-devlin-dezeen-15-manifesto_dezeen_2364_col_12.jpg (Accessed 02/11/2022)

References:

Devlin, E. (2021) “It’s 1 November 2036 and every city has swapped cars for trees” says Es Devlin [Online]. Available at https://www.dezeen.com/2021/11/01/november-2036-every-city-swapped-cars-for-trees-says-es-devlin/ (Accessed 1 November 2022).

Ralston, W. (2020) Oslo got pedestrian and cyclist deaths down to zero. Here’s how [Online]. Available at https://www.wired.co.uk/article/oslo-pedestrianisation (Accessed 2 November 2022).