On October 5 at the Design is Human 2022 conference, TVS Associate Principal Sal Lalani moderated a discussion around Alexandre Grondeau’s recent work defining altermetropolization and how it can be used to transform cities for the better.

Grondeau defines altermetropolization as a process of urbanization and city planning based on social innovation. He contrasts this process with metropolization 3.0, which he describes as being based mainly on technological innovation and competitivity. Where metropolization 3.0 looks to technology for innovation, altermetropolization integrates social, societal and environmental issues and seeks dialogue with all citizens of a city.

The talk included Grondeau himself, alongside cultural developer Gene Kansas and Michael Green of Sophy Capital Management.

Kansas recounted his preservation work throughout his career, talking about how his efforts to maintain the Sweet Auburn neighborhood in Atlanta serves to preserve the history while promoting an inclusive mindset for urban planning.

Green discussed his involvement in the upcoming Atlanta Civic Center redevelopment and how a building that had been underutilized in the past decade is a community opportunity for housing, the arts, community engagement and truly meeting the needs of the citizens. TVS is also on the design team for the project.