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Paris Region 2024 France Paris-Cergy workshops  Inhabit! Cohabit! Reinhabit!  Metamorphosis of habitat in response to the ecological and social emergency

• The following is a report by Miku Akashi.

I participated in the international urban design workshops, "Paris Region 2024 France Paris-Cergy workshops". Fifteen students and young professionals in the field of urban planning came from all over the world to participate in this working seminar. The workshop took place over two weeks in the Paris Region. After several days of visits and conferences, participants collaborated in teams to develop innovative, illustrated collective proposals. At the end of the two-week workshop, we have presented to an international jury.

My team members

The workshop took place at The Art School of Cergy-Pontoise in Cergy Prefecture, about 40 minutes by train from Paris.

We were on a city tour and lectures on the first and second days. The group work starts on the third day, a mid-term presentation on the sixth day, and a final presentation on the thirteenth day. The workshop's theme was "Inhabit! Cohabit! Reinhabit! ~Metamorphosis of habitat in response to the ecological and social emergency~". We made three teams of five members from different countries.

Our team made wide-ranging proposals, from urban planning to housing and interior design.

Team collaboration

In the group work, I gained many new perspectives through discussions and exchanges of views with participants from different countries and backgrounds. The various approaches and ways of thinking about urban and social issues in other countries were particularly impressive. Conflicts sometimes occurred regarding how to proceed with the project, but in the end, we could bring our opinions together toward a common goal.

During the period, the organizer prepared accommodation for the participants at a location about 10 minutes by bus from the venue, where they shared breakfast and communicated with each other at parties and card games. The most impressive event was the dancing. Everyone enjoyed dancing and danced to the music, showing each other dances from different countries.

　

Dinner and dancing

Through these workshops, in addition to exploring my own master's research topic, I gained a valuable opportunity to learn a global perspective on suburban residential areas. Although I had some difficulties speaking English, I experienced the guts of using English and the importance of communicating across languages. In addition, the fieldwork and dialogue with experts helped me deepen my theoretical and practical understanding. I want to use this experience in my future research and projects.