Walk the Futures is a guided, multisensory walking experience through your local area, followed by a creative workshop. It's an immersive experience designed to stretch your imagination, invite new perspectives, and give you time to pause and reflect.

You’ll step into a range of possible futures set in familiar places, encounter objects, sounds, smells and stories from possible futures, and take part in thoughtful group conversations about what might lie ahead, and what it means for you, your community, and the world around you.

• We'll meet at a central location in your city.
• Together we'll visit four locations around the city. The route is accessible for most people using wheelchairs or walking aids.
• At each stop, you'll experience a different possible climate future for the city, through a multi-sensory story set in 2056.
• We'll finish with food, conversation and a creative closing workshop.

Each Walk the Futures experience lasts 5–6 hours, includes snacks and a light lunch, and is free to participate during the pilot phase.

Climate change isn't just about rising temperatures. It shapes housing, food, work, mobility, nature, and everyday life. Exploring climate futures helps us imagine how these different aspects of life could evolve together. It also reminds us that the future isn't fixed. It's something we help create through the choices we make today.

Each future is grounded in today's trends, from climate change and housing to food, work, AI and everyday life. The stories draw on current climate research, including IPCC reports and regional climate impact assessments, and explore different ways urban spaces could evolve over the next 30 years.

Every future is possible, but none is inevitable.

No. They're carefully researched possibilities designed to help us explore different ways the future could unfold.

They aren't predictions, and they aren't intended to tell us what will happen.

Every future we explore is possible, but none is inevitable.

If you take part, you’ll be asked to:

• Attend one walkshop (guided walk + creative workshop, 5½–6 hours, including snacks and an early lunch)
• Complete a short questionnaire before the event.
• Complete a short questionnaire after the event to get your first impressions.
• Receive short email follow-ups over the next 6 weeks (via email) inviting you to reflect on questions in your own time.
• Complete a final questionnaire +- 6 weeks after the event.
• Optionally: take part in an interview if you’d like to reflect more deeply on the experience.

This adds up to a time investment of around 6-7 hours over 6-7 weeks, including 5-6 hours in the experience itself.

I am an independent researcher and I developed Walk the Futures as part of my doctoral research at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

The project explores how immersive, place-based storytelling influences the way people think about and engage with possible climate futures.

Because I am currently testing these Walkshops as part of my research, participation is free. There are no fees, selling or hidden costs involved. I currently self-fund the workshops as part of my research. For clarity: I receive no funding from local governments, the EU, or funding bodies.

Your investment is your time and feedback.

You’re warmly invited to apply if you:

• Are over 18 and not currently studying full-time
• Live or work near the location of the event you wish to attend
• Can comfortably walk or move around the city for 2–3 hours, with breaks
• Can commit to one walkshop of +-5-6 hours (several dates available) and a few short follow-ups
• Are curious and open to imaginative thinking, reflection, and dialogue

No special knowledge is needed. Just a willingness to explore (plus good shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.)

Walk the Futures is designed for adults who are not currently studying full time. Students already have access to courses, workshops, facilitated discussions and campus events exploring climate change, sustainability and the future. I want to make similar opportunities available to the wider community outside formal education.

A Walk the Futures experience takes place outdoors in an urban area and is accessible to most participants, including those using wheelchairs or small mobility aids. You’ll be walking or moving at a relaxed pace, with time to pause, reflect, and rest along the way.

The experience includes thought-provoking and immersive themes, and is designed to be welcoming, flexible, and reflective. You’re always free to pause, opt out of any activity, or withdraw entirely, at any time, for any reason.

Participation is voluntary and based on informed consent. Before taking part, you’ll be asked to give your consent. Your privacy, safety, and comfort are central to how this event is run.

All data that is collected anonymised and handled securely in line with GDPR.

This project has received full ethical approval and is conducted in line with university research guidelines at VU Amsterdam.

Take a look at up-coming events and apply to participate.

You can also sign up to be notified when new events are published.

Yes! I'm actively looking for opportunities to bring Walk the Futures formats to other locations.

Find out more about collaborating on an idea or creating something for your space, or simply get in touch here →

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