BEYOND NOW – »Weimarer Stadtgespräche« Show How Lively Urban Development Can Be Negotiated
This year’s focus on urban environments is particularly topical. What at first may seem abstract gets to the heart of many debates about mobility, housing, climate adaptation, and social participation.
»We carry out research in various fields, including urban planning, housing research, dealing with historic buildings, and designing blue-green infrastructure«, explains Elodie Vittu, representing the Institute for European Urban Studies. »The goal of fair spatial transformation combines all of these topics.« Municipal heat planning, circular construction, understanding land as a scarce resource – these subjects are more relevant than ever before. The venues for the discussions are deliberately chosen: museums, vacant buildings, and public squares all become platforms for low-threshold, visible, open dialogue. The city should be discussed where it can be experienced.
The »Weimarer Stadtgespräche« offer a space where different perspectives can be included. Those who speak at these events are not just experts with academic titles, but also people with experience, citizens with knowledge, administrative employees with practical skills. »It’s exciting to hear from those who have rarely been heard from in planning processes, for example a trainee who reported on her limited mobility. This fundamentally changes discussions and influences our social environment because all those involved broaden their perspectives and are forced to leave their own bubble.« The event series thrives on diversity. Whether it’s experts, young people, planners, or committed individuals from the community: everyone is invited to get involved. And not to mention snacks and drinks, encouraging guests to stick around and engage in further conversation with one another.
The summer semester kicks-off on 30 June 2025 with a discussion on the development of the area around the Berkaer Bahnhof, a location in transition where numerous interests come together. The site exemplifies the challenges of urban change: It is transport hub, a green space, and a development area. Representatives of the city administration and the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar are exploring questions together such as: How can the area be categorised in terms of the city as a whole? What role do outdoor spaces and the quality of time spent play in an area with increasing land-use pressure? How can local amenities, mobility, and climate adaptation be coordinated?
»I’ve personally grown very fond of the format«, says scientific associate Hendrik Sander, who has coordinated the discussions for the past three years. »We are addressing a major social change; the socio-ecological transformation of our cities needs to be organised fairly if it’s going to be accepted by everyone.«
The Weimar »Weimarer Stadtgespräche« show how lively urban development can be. In open, transfer-focussed formats, held in real locations with people asking real questions, an inspiring discussion develops. Urban development is a never-ending process; it is continuously being planned, thought through, negotiated, and shaped together.
Further information can be found at:www.uni-weimar.de/stadtgespraeche
The project is funded by the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar as part of the »Beyond Now –Environment« annual theme.
Kick-Off
»Spielräume um den Berkaer Bahnhof«
as part of the »Weimarer Stadtgespräche«
Monday, 30 June 2025, 6:30 pm
SOS-Kinderdorf Thüringen, Familienzentrum Weimar, Abraham-Lincoln-Straße 37, 99423 Weimar
Project Participants:
Institute for European Urban Studies: Dr. Elodie Vittu, Jr. Prof. Daniela Zupan, Prof. Dr. Barbara Schönig, Dr. Hendrik Sander
Text: Gabriela Oroz
Photos: Julian Linden
Social Media: Marit Haferkamp
Signet: Romi Klockau
Concept and Editorial: Claudia Weinreich