Recognising the entanglement of the world would lead to a polyphonic approach to urban planning

An article contribution for Mustarinda magazine

2023

Writing: Seela & Siiri

Illustrations: Seela Pentikäinen

Photography: Siiri Hänninen

The article by Seela Pentikäinen and Siiri Hänninen discusses the importance of recognizing the interconnectedness of life in urban planning. As architects and members of the "You Tell Me" collective, their goal is to foster a shift in mindset within the construction industry, advocating for cities designed for all life forms, not just humans. They envision cities that nurture diverse ways of living, where care extends to all species.

The article explores the degradation of humans’ ability to recognize other forms of life, illustrated by a study showing that children can identify thousands of brand logos but few local plants. This disconnect manifests in urban planning, where decisions often prioritize human needs at the expense of biodiversity. For instance, Finnish forests, threatened by land use and forestry, are home to a wide range of species, yet urban development continues to encroach on these vital ecosystems.

Pentikäinen and Hänninen highlight conflicts between city expansion and the preservation of urban forests in Helsinki, showing how residents fight to protect these green spaces. They critique current planning processes for marginalizing public input and disregarding the intricate relationships between different forms of life. The authors argue for a more inclusive approach, where the voices of both local residents and other species are considered in urban design, promoting a city that acknowledges the complexity of life and its interconnected systems.

Ultimately, they call for multidisciplinary collaboration in planning, involving ecologists, landscape architects, and activists to create resilient urban environments that respect and care for all life forms.

Be in touch to read the full article <3

“Elinvoima (vitality) is a word used mainly in economic contexts, but the direct translation would be something like ”life force”, It is used to discuss rural development in academia, in which case it would reflect community vitality For our purposes, we suggest transposing it to think of multi species thinking/doing, collective agency, learning from the past, quality of life etc. To us it seems to conjoin in important ways, the issues of energy (labour/work) and knowledge (labour/work). - - Indeed the question is deeply a communal one, that of vital working/knowing communities and their transitional practices and possible paths. Ecosocial reconstruction will be led by communities.” — Mustarinda, 2023