7th edition of Agora : world of architecture meets in Bordeaux
The city's cultural program ‘Paysages’ echoes the program developed by the 7th edition of Agora, the biennial celebrating architecture, urbanism and design taking place from September 15-25.
AGORA was first launched in 2004 reflect on the profound changes in Bordeaux since 1995. Agora has three objectives. First, to weigh in on the national and European debate on the future of cities. Second, to put out a call for ideas that allows the city to assist the political decisionmaking process. 'Lastly, quite simply, Agora is the illustration of Bordeaux's urban plan for the last twenty years,' said Michèle Laruë-charlus, general director of Agora and executive director of urban planning in Bordeaux.
'In less than a quarter of a century, the physiognomy of Bordeaux has profoundly evolved... where nature is meant to be present,' said Juppé. 'Entrusted to renowned designers, the vegetation on the Left Bank, the curtain of greenery formed by the Botanical Gardens and Angéliques park on the Right Bank are testimony to this.'
Since its inception, Agora has gained in international popularity, attracting international participants and an inter-generational audience, including families with children. Its approach to urban planning and architecture, and questions facing urbanism today, involves theatre, visual arts, photography, literature, and debate.
'I always insist on the fact that the landscape is not only 'natural' but also aural, olfactory, interior, figurative, reinvented...,' said Bas Smets, the Brussels-based architect and landscape engineer and commissioner for the 2017 edition of Agora.
The main venue is Hangar 14 in the centre of Bordeaux, but there are events and exhibitions throughout the city. The worksites of urban projects under construction will be open to the public. There will also be a selection of interesting events exploring urban gardening: seed exchange, collective gardens, a vertical chicken house, a vegetable garden on the Place de la Bourse, and a project on the quays involving 2,000 tomato plants. International partnerships this year, are with Georgia and Bogota in Colombia. Agora awards five prizes: in the categories of architecture, design, ideas, associations, and video. Contact the Bordeaux Tourist Office for events during your stay or go to www.agorabordeaux.fr