Pluriversal design promotes the idea that urban planning should accommodate a variety of cultural perspectives, practices, and knowledge systems. Rooted in the concept of the “pluriverse,” it opposes the notion of a single, universal design approach that fits all cities. Instead, it recognizes that different communities have unique ways of organizing, building, and living in space, and that these differences should inform planning and design decisions.

Unlike traditional models that prioritize uniformity, pluriversal design supports culturally embedded solutions. For example, a coastal town may integrate design practices based on marine ecology and local rituals, while a mountain community may prioritize thermal adaptation and seasonal settlement patterns. This design philosophy encourages collaboration with residents, rather than imposing top-down interventions, and values lived experience alongside technical expertise.

Pluriversal design aligns with sustainability goals by adapting to climate and cultural realities. It broadens the design imagination to include marginalized perspectives, ensuring that city-making is not about producing one homogenous “global city,” but about nurturing the diverse lifeways of people in their own places. By integrating multiple rationalities scientific, spiritual, communal, experiential pluriversal design offers a pathway to more adaptable and inclusive urban futures that respect context over cookie-cutter solutions.