Crafting sustainable urban futures: Manifesting (non)productive urban realities through DIY play

Author Identifier

Rumen Rachev: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2560-2011

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Title

Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering

Volume

591 LNCE

First Page

546

Last Page

555

Publisher

Springer

School

Centre for People, Place and Planet

Comments

Rachev, R., Smith-Harvey, J., Berthelsen, C., & Ben-Dror, A. (2024, November). Crafting sustainable urban futures: Manifesting (non)productive urban realities through DIY play. In The International Conference of Sustainable Development and Smart Built Environments (pp. 546-555). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4051-5_53

Abstract

This paper explores the significance of do-it-yourself (DIY) play practices in the urban context of Tāmaki Makaurau (formerly Auckland), Aotearoa New Zealand. It challenges conventional, goal-oriented activities, advocating for non-extractive and non-capitalist modes of engagement. The research underscores the value of playful, community-driven initiatives that transform discarded materials into creative expressions, emphasising the concept of “frugal making.” Employing an interdisciplinary approach that includes play theory and artistic research, the study examines the potential of DIY play to foster sensory engagement and creativity. Examples include projects in creating public sculptures and sonic art out of found material, DIY telepresence interventions, and creative meanderings. The paper advocates for integrating DIY play into urban design and policy, envisioning public spaces as hubs of creativity and community engagement. Despite potential opposition to unsupervised creativity, the study argues for inclusive dialogue and the benefits of such practices for creative and resilient urban communities. By embracing DIY play, cities can cultivate diverse connections and foster creativity and resilience that challenge neo-liberal norms. The research concludes that DIY play has transformative potential, positioning play as a crucial component of vibrant urban life.

DOI

10.1007/978-981-96-4051-5_53

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Link to publisher version (DOI)

10.1007/978-981-96-4051-5_53