HOPES Conference 29
Shaping Sustainable Futures Through Design
In April 2024, the University of Oregon College of Design will host the 29th annual HOPES Conference, continuing a tradition that began three decades ago with students here on our campus. I had the privilege of speaking with the conference's Director of Outreach to learn more about its history, mission, and what attendees can expect from this year's event. She described its focus as “sustainability through a structural lens.”
The HOPES Conference is an acronym for Holistic Options for Planet Earth Sustainability. This conference traces its roots back to a group of forward-thinking graduate students who sought to infuse their education with a deeper purpose. As the Director of outreach aptly puts it, "Sustainability now, 30 years later, is different." Like sustainability, the conference has evolved over the years into a platform for students, professionals, leaders, and activists to discuss sustainable solutions to contemporary issues, mainly focusing on the intersection of architecture, environmental sustainability, and social justice.
This year's theme, "Structures in Transition: Designers as Catalysts for Uprooting Complacency in Cultural, Institutional, and Economic Structures," critically examines design's role in reshaping our world. The conference will explore how sustainability has evolved over the past three decades and how designers can address the structural challenges inherent in our built environment.
What began as a focus on technical aspects like solar panels has become a broader exploration of sustainability. The Director of Outreach remarks, "Our conference this year is really looking at sustainability through a structural lens... not just from a technical standpoint but from a broader structural perspective." This emphasis on structural analysis underscores the conference's commitment to delving beyond surface-level solutions and exploring the systemic roots of sustainability challenges.
The conference will feature a workshop, panel discussion, and creative and keynote presentations. Attendees can engage with pressing topics such as post-capitalist utopias, spatial justice, and speculative design. The conference incorporates papers and innovative presentations from students, faculty, and practitioners, encouraging diverse perspectives and ideas.
One of the conference's highlights is the lineup of esteemed speakers who will share their insights and expertise. LinYee Yuan, founder and editor of MOLD, will discuss designing the future of food and the complex interplay between agriculture, culture, and sustainability. Sadie Red Wing, a Lakota/Dakota graphic designer and advocate, will explore the importance of indigenous perspectives in design and cultural revitalization. Matthew Wizinsky, author of "Design after Capitalism," will challenge attendees to imagine alternative design paradigms that transcend the constraints of capitalism. These are just a few of the thought leaders who will inspire attendees to think critically about the role of design in shaping our collective future. These thought leaders will not only share their work but also participate in panel discussions covering topics such as climate change-driven immigration and the Klamath Dam Removal, encouraging critical reflection on the role of design in shaping our collective future.
In addition to the speakers and discussions, April 21st will host a Zine Workshop presented by abolitionist designer Terresa Moses. Registration is required for the conference and workshop; however, while the conference is not limited in available spaces, the workshop is. If you are interested, make sure to register now for both HERE.
While the conference does have a design focus, it is not limited to design students; it welcomes anyone interested in sustainability, social justice, and community engagement. The goal is to dissect the ideas that have been “baked into our structures of land use and our structures of capital.” Students from the School of Design organize the conference, which is funded through the Ecological Design Center, reflecting a broader institutional commitment to sustainability. The Director of Outreach emphasized the importance of inclusivity and diversity in shaping conversations around sustainability, stating that the changes needed for the future “are not going to just happen within the architecture department. It has to be everyone's voice… it has to be a community-based design."
As we face mounting environmental challenges and social inequities, the HOPES Conference is a beacon of hope, inspiring us to imagine and create a more sustainable and just world. The conference cultivates a community of changemakers dedicated to transforming our built environment and promoting environmental stewardship by bringing students, professionals, and activists together.
The 29th HOPES Conference promises to be a transformative experience for all who attend. It offers a unique opportunity to learn, collaborate, and envision a future where design serves as a catalyst for positive change. Mark your calendars for April 19-21, 2024, register for the conference, and join the conversation at the University of Oregon College of Design. Together, we can shape sustainable futures through design.
