Democratic Design

Space for Cooperation, Collaboration and Compromise

In Democratic Design, Aedes explores how architecture, planning processes and public spaces can foster democratic engagement and social cohesion – both more urgent than ever in times of profound societal uncertainty. The programme consists of an exhibition, a series of four Lab Talks and a catalogue featuring contributions from practitioners in Berlin, Germany and across Europe, selected through an open call in collaboration with European architecture centres and through research conducted by the Aedes team.

© Rimini Berlin

Introduction

At the core of Democratic Design are democratic planning processes and the spaces they create. The presented projects amplify marginalised voices, encourage participation and inspire collective visions for the future. Dialogue and exchange are essential conditions for democracy, cultivating the ability to accept differing viewpoints and to compromise – the very foundations of democratic culture. This conviction underpins Democratic Design – Space for Cooperation, Collaboration and Compromise, curated by the Aedes team and presented at Aedes in Berlin.

Our democracy is currently experiencing difficult times. Many people have lost faith in civic engagement, withdrawing instead into protest or resignation. Others seek greater inclusion but are denied equal access.

Participatory Planning
Democracy requires tools that spark interest, inspire involvement and enable participation. Architecture and urban planning hold significant potential as drivers of fairer and broader inclusion – particularly for those whose voices remain unheard in political discourse and the shaping of public space. They also open pathways into crucial debates about democracy and the future of our shared living environment. Democratic Design presents exemplary democratic planning processes that make these principles tangible.

Democratic Spaces
A democratic society equally depends on well-designed public and architectural spaces that support encounter, dialogue and exchange. Democratic Design showcases outstanding spaces that actively foster constructive discourse, mutual respect and social behaviour.

Collaborative Models
The growing complexity of societal challenges calls for innovative, holistic and inclusive approaches. Architects can play a central role in this, as architecture and urban planning have always relied on teamwork and compromise. Emerging forms of collaboration and the rise of young, transdisciplinary collectives signal a shift towards a cooperative culture that prioritises the common good and challenges established hierarchies. Democratic Design introduces practitioners who are exploring alternative models of collaboration and collective decision-making as a foundation for future-oriented design.