What to preserve for future generations? children’s visions of future society: ecological, political, and technological perspectives

Abstract

This paper explores the socio-spatial perspectives of children from an Armenian secondary school in Istanbul. It demonstrates how they construct speculative visions for the future by imagining scenarios that preserve present-day cultures as heritage for future generations. The study was conducted using various arts-based activities, including drawings, video performances, and critical thinking sessions to analyze their perspectives. To uncover children's future imaginations, we focused on museum visits and cultural activities, considering the concept of heritage from their perspective. This included understanding children’s geo-contexts and their visions of spatial and technological transformations in the future. The participants are members of a minority group in the city, envisioning their futures by critically reflecting on the challenges they face due to political, cultural, and ecological factors. Anchoring their lived experiences within the theoretical framework of thirdspaces, this paper highlights children’s spatiotemporal perspectives on future society. Through an advanced geographical and spatial lens, it examines how children's interpretations can contribute to shaping urban cultures while redefining the concept of heritage from ecological and urban perspectives. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.