The Carleton University’s Urban Imaginaries Lab works at the intersection between design, imagination, and the politics of being and inhabiting the city.

Through projects that embrace both theoretical explorations and real-world experimentations and contributions, it advances knowledge on how Design can contribute to more democratic, inclusive, and sustainable urban contexts, design processes and outcomes.

Projects happen at the intersection between the university and local communities. The lab supports the local community and partner organizations in processes of socio-cultural change and in exploring uncommon ideas and future possibilities.

It employs approaches that span from Participatory Design to Strategic Design, Speculative and Critical Design, and Political Design.