Parked Cars as a Political Issue: Research Workshop Hosts Interdisciplinary Conference

Traffic behaviour, especially in big cities, is changing: More and more people are walking, using public transport, or cycling. »Nevertheless, motorised private vehicles continue to dictate how mobility is understood, planned, and organised. And this despite the fact that every car registered in Germany is stationary for 94 percent of the day«, says Christof Windgätter, Professor of History, Theory and Aesthetics of Material Cultures at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar.

But why is that? What function do stationary cars fulfil? And how can parking space be better used? And, most importantly, how can it be used more fairly? These are questions that can only be addressed within an interdisciplinary debate. And for this reason, the »Dimensionen des ruhenden Verkehrs« interdisciplinary research workshop at the Professorship of History, Theory and Aesthetics of Material Cultures is organising a conference where experts from the fields of traffic planning, social sciences, and media studies will provide insights and food for thought. In addition to lectures, including one by artist Martin Maleschka on the theme of »Garagen — Zeugnisse der Ostmoderne« on Saturday 28 June, the event will centre around a panel discussion entitled »Parkende Autos als Politikum« (parked cars as a political issue). 

The context o the event is the increasing structural change taking place in the transport sector. Parking space is especially scarce in cities; illegally parked vehicles, running engines, and noise and air pollution all affect the quality of life in urban areas. Local authorities are also working hard to promote environmentally-friendly forms of transportation, such as e-mobility, local public transport, cycling, and car sharing to achieve climate targets. The aim is to distribute road space more fairly. The project also advocates for more individual initiative and a greater say for citizens in urban planning.

The exchange between media science, design, and technical/planning perspectives is essential to the success of this social endeavour: »This means focussing on the acts of idling and waiting – not just parking, but also stopping and the associated devices, technologies, mechanisms, and regulations. The goal is to focus on the professionally and socially established concept of mobility, in particular motorised automobility«, explains project coordinator Maximilian Rünker from the Professorship of History, Theory and Aesthetics of Material Cultures. 

»Dimensionen des ruhenden Verkehrs« Conference
Thursday, 26 June to Saturday, 28 June 2025
Main Building of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar,
Geschwister-Scholl-Str. 8a, Room 105 (1st Floor), 99423 Weimar 

Please register via e-mail to: maximilian.ruenker@uni-weimar.de
The event is free of charge.

Event Host: Professorship of History, Theory and Aesthetics of Material Cultures (Prof. Christof Windgätter)
Team: Tina Feddersen, Anna-Lena Haufer, Manuela Klaut, Maximilian Rünker, Gottfried Schnödl
Further information on the research workshop can be found at: https://www.uni-weimar.de/de/kunst-und-gestaltung/projekte/dimensionen-des-ruhenden-verkehrs/

Questions can be directed to Maximilian Rünker, Professorship of History, Theory and Aesthetics of Material Cultures, via e-mail at maximilian.ruenker[at]uni-weimar.de.