Essays on Political, Urban and Architectural Activism
Text by Gideon Boie, Lieven de Cauter.
Tracing recent developments in the field of architecture's application to civic protest and urban activism
The term "architectural activism" sounds like a paradox as architecture is on the side of money and power, with activism opposing these forces. But in recent years we have seen architects applying the skills of their discipline to urban activism and even see forms arising of what could be called "activist architecture." The first part of this book evokes in several essays the broad context of activism today, with a focus on ecology and the commons. The second part contains an introduction to the idea of activism as democracy in the city, focusing on the three different shapes it takes. The final part reconstructs the struggle for road safety in Brussels as a situated commitment as well as a concrete form of urban activism. Authors from across the field meditate on activism as an important element in bottom-up urban democracy and the struggle for a more social, just and sustainable society.
STATUS: Forthcoming | 12/8/2026
This title is not yet published in the U.S. To pre-order or receive notice when the book is available, please email orders @ artbook.com
FORMAT: Pbk, 5.75 x 9 in. / 266 pgs. LIST PRICE: U.S. $34.95 LIST PRICE: CANADA $52.95 ISBN: 9789462089853 PUBLISHER: nai010 publishers AVAILABLE: 12/8/2026 DISTRIBUTION: D.A.P. RETAILER DISC: TRADE PUBLISHING STATUS: Forthcoming AVAILABILITY: Awaiting stock TERRITORY: NA LA ME
The Activist City Essays on Political, Urban and Architectural Activism
Published by nai010 publishers. Text by Gideon Boie, Lieven de Cauter.
Tracing recent developments in the field of architecture's application to civic protest and urban activism
The term "architectural activism" sounds like a paradox as architecture is on the side of money and power, with activism opposing these forces. But in recent years we have seen architects applying the skills of their discipline to urban activism and even see forms arising of what could be called "activist architecture." The first part of this book evokes in several essays the broad context of activism today, with a focus on ecology and the commons. The second part contains an introduction to the idea of activism as democracy in the city, focusing on the three different shapes it takes. The final part reconstructs the struggle for road safety in Brussels as a situated commitment as well as a concrete form of urban activism. Authors from across the field meditate on activism as an important element in bottom-up urban democracy and the struggle for a more social, just and sustainable society.
