Wunschgarten I Zukunftstag I 2025 I Basel Statement
The philosophical background behind this creative diversity remains the same wherever IPek works and whatever the result of her social design activities looks like.
SHARE
It is all about sharing our privileges and knowledge with those who are knowledgeable in other areas of life. Whether it’s the privilege of an artist to get permission to paint surfaces in public spaces or the knowledge of how to draw a colouring poster, sharing these opportunities with people who are usually not involved in design processes makes a big difference.
ACT LOCAL
Acting locally is key. Only through the participation of local players can a project avoid becoming invasive. Whether it is a public space used by the inhabitants of nearby houses or a community center of a remote town does not matter: involving locals in activities, using local materials for workshops, and addressing global issues from a local point of view should be at the core of every (community-based) activity.
DO TOGETHER
Inclusion means shaping spaces and processes in ways that welcome the participants from the beginning. It’s about asking who was part of setting the table, not just who is invited to sit at it. When people are involved in defining what participation looks like, spaces become more accessible, meaningful, and joyful for all.
HAVE FUN
Work is overrated in our society, and accordingly, fun is seen as childish and mostly reserved for family activities. Having fun together—especially with strangers in public space—is a rare phenomenon in contemporary European cities. It is also our responsibility to change this tendency, and the best way is to feel at home in public spaces.