Useful resources

lala.ruhr is a laboratory for the landscape of the Ruhr Metropolis in Germany. A think-tank and a format for creative and open exchange and for the development of sustainable solutions for the urban metropolitan area – and a platform for actors and designers of this landscape. Check out their ideas using AR and film to bring urban landscapes to life.

R. Buckminster Fuller was a renowned 20th century inventor and visionary. Born in 1895 he dedicated his life to making the world work for all of humanity, Fuller worked as a ‘comprehensive anticipatory design scientist’ to solve global problems surrounding housing, shelter, transportation, education, energy, ecological destruction, and poverty. The website dedicated to his work is full of inspiration.

Participatory budgeting (PB) is a democratic process in which community members decide how to spend part of a public budget giving real power over real money. Starting in 1989 in Brazil, PB has spread to over 7,000 cities and has been used to decide budgets from states, counties, cities, housing authorities, schools, and other institutions. The New York Times calls PB “revolutionary civics in action”.