Urban by Nature: Dirk Sijmons named as curator for 2014 Rotterdam Biennale

Urban and nature are two terms that we’re accustomed to placing in close relationship to each other, sometimes in opposition, and sometimes in harmony. In our rapidly urbanizing, yet still half unurbanized world, the two operate as a binary pair: fascinating and generative of many ideas, designs and concepts. Picking up on this idea, and following a very “urban” 2012 International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam, it was recently announced that the concept for the 2014 IABR is “URBAN by NATURE.” Noted landscape architect Dirk Sijmons has been named Curator for the 6th installment of the IABR. The press release announcing this choice of curator and subject notes:

“Today, when the feverish pace of urbanization has radically altered the relationship between the city and the world, the IABR is convinced that now is the time to consider the city from the vantage point of landscape architecture. City making will need to take account of the multi-dimensional complexities and cross-dependencies within the infrastructures of water management, food production and waste processing, energy production and distribution, infrastructure, heat islands and data flows. By developing cutting-edge visions of the complex ecology that is the city we will be able more effectively to manage the adaptation, growth and shrinkage of the urban regions and megacities that will soon house 80% of the world’s population.”

While Sijmons is not the first landscape architect to take the helm of the IABR – Adriaan Geuze of West 8 was curator for the 2nd IABR – he is one of the best known worldwide. His firm H+N+S is responsible for landscape infrastructure projects throughout the Netherlands (see Topos 77: Making Space) and his teaching, consulting and other activity in the field is important internationally. In the words of IABR director George Brugmans: “With the appointment of Dirk Sijmons the IABR unites unique expertise and international experience where the disciplines of urbanization, landscape and infrastructure intersect. Recognised as a world-wide authority in his field, Sijmons will join forces with the IABR in seeking innovative visions and responses to the symbiotic relationship between city and nature.”

Also noted is the fact that there will be continuity and continuation of projects begun for the 5th IABR, “Making City” (running through early August 2012 in Rotterdam, and in Sao Paulo and Istanbul into the Autumn, written about in the Topos blog here as “Test sites” for ideas about urban change and development. As biennale normally have a fleeting impermanence, it will be interesting to chart the development of the IABR projects over time. Equally as interesting will be to examine the issues in “URBAN by NATURE” as the natural successor to “Making City” – afterall, perhaps it is not the making of the city that will become our most pressing need, but the relationship of the built human environment to all of the complex systems implied when we use the words “city” or “urban.”

Jessica Bridger.