Porto Design Biennale 2021: Curator Alastair Fuad-Luke on ALTER-REALITIES and Participatory Urbanism

The second edition of the Porto Design Biennale will open in June 2021, curated by Alastair Fuad-Luke. Titled ALTER-REALITIES: Designing the Present, the biennale focuses on design's capacity to address contemporary challenges such as inclusive urban landscapes, pedestrian-friendly cities, and care. Fuad-Luke emphasizes walking as a tool for re-perceiving the city, drawing on Guy Debord's theory of the dérive and the Situationist International. The biennale will involve human-powered mobility and direct exploration of Porto and Matosinhos. It aims to foster active participation, citing the MIT SenseAble City Lab led by Carlo Ratti, and the work of Assemble in London. The program includes exhibitions, workshops, open meetings, and dialogues on physical and digital platforms. France is the guest country, co-curated by Caroline Naphegyi and Sam Baron. The biennale prioritizes female representation: 81% of the team, 56% of the board, and half of selected graphic designers and co-curators are women. Fuad-Luke stresses localization and sustainability, engaging with interdisciplinary design agencies to create community-based production models. The biennale seeks to inspire hope and action, encouraging visitors to participate in shaping experiences and consequences.