At the end of November, the French city of Saint-Etienne is organizing its sixth International Design Biennial.

One of their key events is City Eco Lab, a two-week-long market of sustainability projects, curated by John Thackara.

The central area of City Eco Lab will ask: what exactly is an “eco quartier” (neighborhood)? Live projects on show will deal with energy, water and mobility. A team led by Justine Ultsch at St Etienne’s city hall will explore ways to re-open Le Furan, the city’s built-over river. Tools to capture and clean rainwater will be on show, next to a description of Melbourne’s extraordinary plan to turn that whole city into a water catchment, and Rotterdam’s vision of itself as a water city. A unique array of dry toilets will be on show, together with proposals from an Australian designer, Dena Fam, of ways designers can make them physically and culturally more attractive. A community-wide energy dashboard will be demonstrated by Magalie Restalo. Half way through the event a town hall meeting, convened by the Maison du Quartier, will discuss what to do, and how, with the ideas and scenarios emerging from the City Eco Lab marketplace.

Official City Eco Lab Website (French)

More info at Doors of Perception (English)

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