Vivreste

Vivreste is a fictional concept used in speculative design, urban studies, and contemporary fiction to denote a mode of living oriented toward continuity of life amid disruption. The term is employed to explore how people adapt physical spaces, daily routines, and social networks to sustain viability when conditions change rapidly or abruptly.

As a framework, vivreste foregrounds resilience, mutual aid, local knowledge, and adaptable infrastructure. It is used to analyze or prototype practical arrangements such as community gardens, decentralized energy, repair and exchange networks, and participatory governance that enable long-term livelihood rather than short-term convenience.

Etymology and usage: The coinage blends associations with living (from French vivre) and staying or remaining (rester), but it is not an established linguistic term. In fiction and speculative essays, vivreste is depicted as a social practice encouraging improvisation, care, and endurance in the face of crisis. Some critics argue that its utility depends on context and that the concept risks remaining metaphorical unless paired with concrete methods and evaluative criteria. Nonetheless, it appears in discussions of resilience-informed design and narrative worldbuilding as a shorthand for communities that prioritize continued existence and solidarity over individual gain.