Fabulation as Design

Abstract

Objective: In urban planning, the idea of designing not only space but also time is fundamental and transformative, given its implications for the way we think and produce cities. In this sense, the article seeks to explore different methods of urban design based on a temporal matrix. Method and theoretical framework: We bring forth two poetic actions developed by the contemporary artist Francis Alÿs, where the concepts of fable and project are present. Alÿs's poetics (empiricism) are discussed here and intersected with theoretical concepts from a literature review, highlighting the notion of the right to the city from Henri Lefebvre, the understanding of utopia from Ernst Bloch, and the concept of politics from Jacques Rancière. Results and conclusion: Alÿs's works borrow from literature their quality of adaptation. Oral accounts can both intensify and reiterate a story and allow each part to accommodate itself in new contexts. Thus, fables adapt to each situation where they are told, like nomads. Empiricism opens up possibilities that span literature, visual arts, philosophy, and urban planning. Implications of the research: The text enhances a dialogue between poetics, aesthetics, ethics, and politics. It is not a methodology for improving or presenting projects; rather, it is a possible path to initiate new thoughts and design practices for the contemporary city. Originality: The understanding of fabulation as urban design within a broader perspective of design practice and its impact on the built environment.