Despite climate catastrophes, increasing inequality and growing geo-political instability, architecture remains stubbornly optimistic about the future. More than this; it usually sees itself as the discipline best capable of showing society a way out of disaster. Optimism seems to be a genuine 'strategy' that strongly shapes architectural and urban design practice. We can hardly imagine a different – and hopefully better – built future if we are not optimistic about it. This issue of OASE focuses on this specific position of optimism in architecture and urban design.
128 pages, 17 x 24cm, softcover, Nai010 Publishers (Rotterdam).