The Counterfactual City project presents a series of alternative visions for the future city that are predicated on a counterfactual notion, a singular ‘what if?’ scenario, that presents a radical alternative to the existing status quo of urban development. These propositions are not based on scenarios that are known, but ones that should, could or would have been. The Counterfactual City project seeks to operate outside of the stereotypical modes of urban planning policies and the representation of architecture. It challenges notions of civic engagement that shapes the built environment and demonstrates the importance of design-led approaches to city-making.

Presented by The Capitol and RMIT University School of Architecture & Urban Design as part of Melbourne Design Week 2021, an initiative of the Victorian Government in collaboration with the NGV.