What would a non-ableist city be like?

On Thursday, 30 September, PAF and Büro Juliane Greb invite you to an evening exploring disability as a critical lens and a creative force in architecture. Joining the conversation are Negin Eisazadeh (KU Leuven & ULiège), Sam Michiels (Accessibility Advisory Council of the City of Leuven), and Inge Vinck (architecten Jan de Vylder Inge Vinck).

Buildings carry stories and values, but often these are stories of exclusion. How do we engage with historic architecture that is not only physically inaccessible but also represents and reproduces an aesthetic of ableism? What if we approached architecture by seeing disabled bodies and experiences not as problems to fix, but as starting points for design?

This conversation is a collaboration between Büro Juliane Greb, PAF (platform voor architectuur & feminisme), the Flanders Architecture Institute (VAi), and Team Vlaams Bouwmeester. Together with the speakers and the audience, we will discuss how to place care, accessibility, and collective experience at the centre, moving beyond checklists and regulations.

The event takes place within an ongoing research-by-design project that began with a Bouwmeester Label from Team Vlaams Bouwmeester and the Flanders Architecture Institute (VAi). In this project, Büro Juliane Greb challenges architecture's relationship to ableism – discrimination (intentional or otherwise) in favour of able-bodied people. Inspired by David Gissen's book The Architecture of Disability, they take the discussion beyond the politics of accessibility, actively engaging with people with disabilities and exploring topics of representation, aesthetics and identification in the city. The project includes a series of speculations on historic buildings in Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent, developed within three master design studios at the University of Antwerp, and a 1:1 improvisation at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels.

Tickets: 5€ student / 10€ regular / 15€ support ticket.

Better fit your financial situation? Then choose a free ticket.

We provide an enjoyable evening with nice conversations, make space for everyone's contribution, and take care of everyone's privacy. You always decide what you want to contribute, in conversation or in writing. You don't need any prior knowledge, you are very welcome!

Image: Fragments of speculative designs developed at the University of Antwerp

More information about the event you can find here.

Accessibility

The ground floor of Timelab is wheelchair accessible, with an adapted toilet available. Assistance animals are welcome. Flexible seating is available, and we can reserve a space if needed. Several team members will be present at the entrance to offer assistance if needed.

Timelab is located 500 meters from Gent-Dampoort train station. Street parking is available nearby, including one designated disabled parking space directly across from the entrance.

The event will be held in English, but you are welcome to join the conversation in Dutch, French, or any language you feel most comfortable with. We will do our best to offer ad hoc whisper translations if needed.

An audio recording, transcript, and an edited article of the conversation will be made available afterward for those unable to attend or fully participate. Unfortunately, there will be no sign language interpreter at this event.

When completing your ticket order, you can leave a comment regarding any specific accessibility needs. We would be glad to discuss how we can support your participation. You can also reach us at mail@paf.community.