Viable Unknowns: how to promote sustainable urban futures through theatre

ICTA-UAB researchers Amalia Calderón-Argelich and Sergio Ruiz Cayuela actively participates in this transdisciplinary initiative, which brings together theatre professionals, researchers, and marginalized communities in four European cities: Barcelona, Bologna, Leipzig, and Wrocław.

The Viable Unknowns project is inspired by Paulo Freire’s philosophical idea of “viable unknowns,” which encourages exploring transformative futures that have not yet been tried but are achievable. With this approach, the initiative aims to transcend catastrophic narratives about climate change and promote discourses of hope, possibility, and action.

By combining traditional and contemporary theatrical methods, the project fosters interaction between different scientific, social, and cultural perspectives on sustainable urban coexistence. Additionally, it generates transdisciplinary experiences that enhance knowledge creation, scientific literacy, and community engagement.

The initiative develops a training and co-mentoring program to strengthen inclusive and sustainable artistic collaboration. Through four theatrical productions, each exploring different “viable unknowns,” the project engages marginalized communities in a co-creation process, both virtually and in person.

Key actions of Viable Unknowns include:

• Transnational training for theatre professionals and researchers in inclusive creation practices.
• Production and presentation of four theatre performances in different European cities, involving diverse community groups.
• A 19-day international tour with 22 performances in an environmentally sustainable framework.
• Dissemination of results through a documentary, a website, scientific publications, and a transdisciplinary international conference.

Through cooperation between artists, researchers, and communities, Viable Unknowns leverages theatre as a catalyst for social change. The project not only creates artistic productions with social relevance but also fosters transnational synergies to imagine and work toward sustainable and inclusive coexistence, bringing it from concept to on-stage reality.

ICTA-UAB, through its research group Barcelona Lab for Urban Environmental Justice and Sustainability (BCNUEJ) and together with the UAB Sociology Department UAB, participates in the research and development of the project in collaboration with various European artistic and academic partners.

For more information about the project, visit the ICTA-UAB website or follow updates on social media.