Utopian Hours 2026 Explores Participatory City-Making in Rotterdam
The tenth anniversary of Utopian Hours, a festival dedicated to urban development, commenced in Rotterdam, Netherlands, at the iconic Groot Handelsgebouw. Constructed in 1953 to accommodate wholesalers displaced by WWII, this venue now supports 400 businesses and includes service courtyards, ramps, and a rooftop. The event gathered a diverse group of architects, planners, researchers, elected officials, journalists, developers, artists, scientists, and community members. Key topics revolved around community engagement and co-design, drawing from Henri Lefebvre's concepts regarding the right to the city, which challenge urban space control and emphasize citizen involvement in decision-making. The festival's format itself was designed as a participatory exercise.
Key facts
- Utopian Hours 2026 marked its tenth anniversary edition.
- The first part of the festival was held in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
- The venue was the Groot Handelsgebouw, built in 1953.
- The building originally served wholesalers who lost warehouses in WWII.
- Today the Groot Handelsgebouw contains offices of 400 companies.
- The festival gathered architects, planners, researchers, officials, journalists, developers, artists, scientists, and the public.
- Themes included community participation and co-design.
- Henri Lefebvre's writings on the right to the city influenced the festival's approach.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- Utopian Hours
- Groot Handelsgebouw
Locations
- Rotterdam
- Netherlands