Big Plans: Exploring the Visionary Work of Female Urbanists in Modern Design and Social Change

The exhibition 'Big Plans' highlights the lives and work of ten influential female urbanists from the 20th century who recognized the emancipatory potential of design on a large scale. It explores their contributions to modernist urbanism and their efforts to address urbanization, industrialization, and decolonization while improving conditions for marginalized groups.

The exhibition 'Big Plans. 10 women urbanists shape the modern world' sheds light on the lives and contributions of ten pioneering female urbanists of the 20th century: Luz Amorocho, Catherine Bauer, Eulie Chowdhury, Jane Drew, Renée Gailhoustet, Blanche Lemco van Ginkel, Carmen Portinho, Flora Ruchat-Roncati, Jaqueline Tyrwhitt, and Beverly Willis. These women leveraged modernist urbanism as a tool for social change, seeking to address the challenges of urbanization, industrialization, and decolonization. They saw opportunities in large-scale design to improve the lives of women, low-income individuals, and other marginalized communities. A significant aspect highlighted is the concept of collective authorship, evident in their collaborations as couples, collectives, within organizations, journals, or educational settings, which amplified their impact on projects worldwide. This exhibition, curated by Curatorial Research Collective, underscores the often-overlooked roles of women in shaping the urban landscape. It positions their work not just as architectural or planning endeavors, but as conscious efforts to foster more equitable and inclusive societies. The focus on their methodologies, including collaborative practices, offers valuable insights into the dynamics of urban development and the persistent drive for social improvement through design.

Tickets are available via a provided Google Forms link. Further details on admission may be available through the linked ticketing portal.