On the Practical and Theoretical Possibility of Exploiting Science Fiction for Urban Planning

Abstract

In recent years, cities and districts, such as Songdo City in South Korea, King Abdullah Economic City in Saudi Arabia, or Singapore, have been planned, built and rebuilt in adherence to the guiding principle of a “Smart City”. Some science fiction scenarios are in parts reminiscent of control systems already implemented in these places. Science fiction therefore offers approaches to urban development policy, for example to visualise the possible effects of uncontrolled technologization of the living environment. But is such a use of science fiction even possible? After all, one of the most essential distinctions in literary and media studies is the differentiation between factual and fictional discourse. For most scholars, the decisive distinguishing feature is on the level of form. Using set theory, I intend to differentiate between them on the level of content. This makes it possible to show the hybrid status of science fiction between fictionality and factuality. It is precisely this seemingly contradictory in-between that makes this genre so attractive and highlights its potential for reality. For example, for urban planning.