Designs for Democracy: Damon Rich & John Harris

Join world-leading urban designer & architect Damon Rich in conversation with Guardian Journalist & cultural commentator John Harris at Arnolfini this October.

Recently awarded a prestigious MacArthur Fellowship or “genius grant”, for his work in changing the shape of cities. Rich will discuss his pioneering approach to involving citizens in the design of cities & what practice & policy we might bring to the UK.

Designs for Democracy is presented by The Architecture Centre with support from the US Embassy, the British Association for American Studies & the Landscape Institute.

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ABOUT DAMON RICH
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Damon Rich is a pioneering designer & urban planner who creates vivid & witty strategies to design places that are more democratic & accountable to their residents.

Considered a leading figure in participatory design, Rich has worked over two decades across multiple American Cities. As Director of urban design & planning at Newark he led major regeneration projects to involve citizens in the transformation of Newark’s Waterfront, created large installations to communicate the New York Housing Crisis & led innovative strategic change to directly involve citizens in policy.

'He's building democracy whilst building a park'

In 2017 Rich was awarded a MacArthur Foundation Award. Commonly known as ‘genius grants’ these recognise individuals from any walk of life who create inspiring change in society. Founder of the Centre for Urban Pedagogy (1997-2007) & Chief Urban Designer & Director of Planning for Newark (2008 – 2015), Rich is now partner at Hector. Rich’s work has also been exhibited at the Venice Architecture Biennale, Netherlands Architecture Institute & MoMA.

Attuned to the competing interests at play in the urban planning process, Rich will discuss his work & methods to ensure citizens and communities are included in civic decisions.

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ABOUT JOHN HARRIS
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John Harris is an award-winning journalist, writer, critic & one of the UK’s most valued cultural commentators. A Guardian columnist, John also writes for The Independent, New Statesman & The Times & is a regular pundit on Newsnight Review.

Harris is a champion of social justice & takes a keen interest in the possibilities of community-led policy in the UK.

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CREDITS
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The Architecture Centre would like to thank the US Embassy, The British Association of American Studies & The Landscape Institute for their support.

Damon Rich is also brought to the UK through a partnership with Public Practice & Central St Martins.