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Natures Urbaines Exhibition Presented at the Pavillion de L’Arsenal and in Published Book

GSD Professor and CGBC Affiliated Faculty Member Antoine Picon produces CGBC research project Urban Natures: Technological and Social History

What is the role of nature in urban development? Why are urban natures important? In the exhibition Urban Natures: A Technological and Social History, 1660-2030, which is on display at the Pavillon de l’Arsenal in Paris, France from April 24, 2024, to October 20, 2024, these questions are explored in detail. To answer these crucial questions, Antoine Picon – exhibition curator, G. Ware Travelstead Professor of the History of Architecture and Technology at the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD), and Harvard Center for Green Buildings and Cities (CGBC) affiliated faculty member – not only draws on histories dating back to 1600, but also explores visions for the future in 2030.

Urban agriculture in a French suburb.

“As environmental crises become increasingly urgent, more individuals are recognizing the importance of community gardens and urban agriculture, as well as the human relationship with nature as a whole,” said Picon. “My hope for this exhibition is that it will showcase just how far we have come in our creation and development of urban natures, as well as envision the future of our cities with nature in mind.”

The exhibition, which is on display in French, features a large array of images, artwork, architectural elements, histories, and text resulting from CGBC-funded research. Though the exhibition will only be available to the public until October 20, individuals are welcome to view Picon’s published book under the same title, which highlights all aspects of the exhibition. Members of the GSD community and visitors to the school will also be able to visit an updated version of the exhibition, which will be presented in Gund Hall in fall 2025.

Jardin des Plantes in the 18th century.

“It has been a pleasure to map this important work through two different mediums and preserve this social, technological, and environmental history. Most importantly, it has been incredibly rewarding to see the impact it has had on the public, and the futures that individuals have started to dream up as a result,” said Picon.

Discover Antoine Picon’s CGBC research, along with other faculty research, and learn more about Antoine Picon. For more information about the exhibition, view the Pavillion de L’Arsenal website.