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Crafting Bristol’s nature utopian future
An event at Sparks will invite participants to dream up a green future for Bristol.
Bristol 2040 – Nature Utopia conjures a vision of the city as a vibrant nature haven with streets of vertical gardens, roads replaced by meadows and rewilded beaver, lynx and stork populations.
It playfully reinvents the Bristol of the future as “a paradise of urban greenery and wildlife” that is renowned throughout Europe, with participants asked to answer the question, how did we get here?
is needed now More than ever
The workshop will be held in Sparks, the alternative department store dazzlingly designed by Bristol favourites the Invisible Circus.
The ‘speculative salon’ invites those that attend to step into the shoes of future Bristolians to tell the story of how they created this green utopia, and craft monuments dedicated to it.
The workshop is the first of a series of creative climate events brought to Sparks as part of author, artist and activist Emma Geen’s residency at the ‘department store with a difference’.
Artspace Lifespace and the Global Goals Centre have transformed Broadmead’s former Marks & Spencers building into the haven for climate and nature-focused activity. Departments feature a sustainable travel agency, upcycled clothing and ethical gifts.
The Alice in Wonderland themed Wasteland area invites visitors to reimagine how we deal with our junk.
The Department of Reuse and Resources houses a repair shop and electrical recycling hub; the Department of Nature features an Avon Gorge wildlife installation; and the Department of Energy hosts roundtables with experts on tackling fuel poverty and reducing carbon emissions.
Sparks developers say, “Everything in Sparks is designed to help people take easy, money-saving actions on climate, equality and wellbeing…and help Bristol to reach city-wide targets.”
On ambitions for the project, they state, “The unique combination of artist spaces, sustainable retail, education and reuse is a world-first pilot project that we hope can be replicated in more empty buildings in high streets across the UK.”
The Sparks Department for Repair and Reuse.
Imagining Bristol 2040 is ‘an event for activists, artists, politicians and anyone who wants to dream up better futures and pathways to reach them.’
It’s free, for all ages, and takes place on Saturday 9 September from 3.20-6pm.
Find out more at and book at sparksbristol.co.uk/whatson/
This piece of independent journalism is supported by The Extra Mile and the Bristol24/7 public and business membership.
All photos: Ursula Billington
Read next:
- Sustainability and creativity hub opens within former M&S
- ‘Bristol Urban Forum is a new experiment in citizen-led placemaking’
- Creating space for nature in urban neighbourhoods of Bristol
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