Open Access

Jasmin Jossin, Myriel Milicevic, Ida-Maria Sommerfeldt, Annette Voigt

• The concern underlying the teaching initiative described in this chapter is an effort to promote greater public and student engagement in contemplating and designing sustainable futures for the planet. This approach emphasizes the diverse dimensions that can shape these sustainable futures and aims to cultivate creative thinking in response to current and anticipated challenges. In this context, the chapter introduces the pedagogical methodology of Xtopias, which serves as a vehicle for creative thought through “future visioning exercises.” The specific Xtopia explored in detail in this chapter revolves around the concept of the “end of human dominance.” Architecture and urban design students utilized this concept to envision sustainable future scenarios and facilitate public engagement in discussions surrounding these potential futures. Taking inspiration from the R.E.M. song “It's the End of the World as We Know It,” this Xtopia encouraged reflection on the potential end of an era and posed the question to students: “How could theThe concern underlying the teaching initiative described in this chapter is an effort to promote greater public and student engagement in contemplating and designing sustainable futures for the planet. This approach emphasizes the diverse dimensions that can shape these sustainable futures and aims to cultivate creative thinking in response to current and anticipated challenges. In this context, the chapter introduces the pedagogical methodology of Xtopias, which serves as a vehicle for creative thought through “future visioning exercises.” The specific Xtopia explored in detail in this chapter revolves around the concept of the “end of human dominance.” Architecture and urban design students utilized this concept to envision sustainable future scenarios and facilitate public engagement in discussions surrounding these potential futures. Taking inspiration from the R.E.M. song “It's the End of the World as We Know It,” this Xtopia encouraged reflection on the potential end of an era and posed the question to students: “How could the world look if humans lived in greater symbiosis with other creatures?” As a means of fostering creative visions of a sustainable future, this methodology welcomes serious, humorous, and experimental speculations on urban projects from students. It aims to train the human mind to think creatively about the effects, consequences, and responses to climate change. Moreover, the project specifically discussed here involved the creation of public exhibitions described as interactive stations, which aimed to engage the public in the creative thought process. This methodology is viewed as an interdisciplinary example of transformative learning that explores the relationship between humans and nature. It encompasses a range of complementary activities, including interactive presentations, self-knowledge exercises, group brainstorming, and excursions. By describing the Xtopia methodology, the chapter presents another instance of creative pedagogical responses to the challenge of teaching and engaging students with the climate issues they will confront as future professionals.…