From Dream Routes to Future Cities: The i-mobyl Living Lab Kick-off in Paris
What does Paris look like through the eyes of young people? Around 100 students explored their everyday journeys, imagined new urban spaces and shared their ideas for the city of tomorrow at the first i-mobyl Living Lab workshop.
On 17 September, the Paris Living Lab officially kicked off at the Académie du Climat (Climate Academy). Around 100 students aged 11 to 13 from four Parisian middle schools – Alphonse-Daudet, Jean-Baptiste-Clément, Georges-Brassens and Montgolfier – came together to share their experiences and collaboratively imagine the city of tomorrow.
The day was an opportunity to look at Paris from a different perspective: through the eyes of young people who experience the city every day.
From everyday journeys to dream routes
The students started by reflecting on their daily journeys and how they currently move around Paris. From there, they were invited to imagine their own “dream routes” – and think about what would make their journeys and surroundings better.
Working together, they then developed ideas for their ideal public spaces and ideal city. The activities allowed individual experiences to become shared visions, highlighting what young people value in the places where they live, learn and spend time.
Exploring Paris through their senses
The city itself became part of the workshop. During an urban walk, the students took part in a quiz and a sensory mapping activity, exploring their surroundings and paying attention to how they experience mobility and public space.
Rather than looking at the city only through streets, transport modes or infrastructure, the activities encouraged students to consider what they see, hear and feel as they move through Paris.
This also created a first connection with the Salzburg Living Lab, which kicked off on the same day. Students in Paris exchanged ideas with young people in Salzburg and discovered how their peers in another European city think about mobility and their future city. To continue the exchange, the Paris students also wrote postcards to Salzburg.
The beginning of a year of experimentation
The kick-off was just the first step. Over the coming year, students will take part in classroom workshops and group meetings to explore mobility, develop ideas and work towards innovative solutions.
Their perspectives will also be complemented by a quantitative survey among middle school students in Paris, helping to build a broader picture of young people’s mobility habits and needs.
The kick-off brought together students and teachers with project partners, researchers and representatives from the City of Paris. Dan Lert, Deputy Mayor of Paris, also joined the event and gave the closing remarks.
With first ideas shared, dream routes imagined and connections made with Salzburg, the Paris Living Lab has officially begun.
The next question is: what can young people’s ideas tell us about the Paris of tomorrow?
Image credits: CAUE, Paris