14–15 Oct 2024
International Conference in Halle (Saale):

Modern Housing postwar – Cities of Tomorrow?

International conference

on the occasion of “60 years of Halle-Neustadt” and the founding of
the “Future Center for German Unity and European Transformation”.

Anmerkung zur Sprache: Die Konferenzsprache ist wegen des länderübergreifenden Themas Englisch. Es wird aber eine Simultan-Übersetzung angeboten, so dass einzelne Impulse sowie Diskussionsbeiträge auch auf Deutsch vorgetragen bzw. formuliert werden können und eine breite Beteiligung möglich ist.

Note on language: The conference language is English due to the transnational agenda. However, to enable the broadest possible participation, simultaneous translation will be provided – so that individual impulses and contributions to the discussion can also be presented and/or formulated in German.

TOPIC • DAY-I • DAY-II • REGISTRATION • CORRESPONDING EVENTS

An European Triennial of Modernism (ETOM) NEB milestone project carried out as an “ETOM NEB-Lab” conference, within the framework of the “New  European Bauhaus”, in the context of Central Europe, with a special focus on the exchange with Poland — In cooperation with the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB), the State of Saxony-Anhalt – Ministry for Infrastructure and Digital Affairs and the State Chancellery and Ministry for Culture, and the City of Halle (Saale).

The conference will be hosted at

  • Lichthaus (Dreyhauptstrasse 3, 06108 Halle – in close proximity to the market square and Hallmarkt)
  • The conference will include two excursion days on 13 + 16 Oct through the residential development in Halle-Neustadt and a short walk to the Franckesche Stiftungen nearby on 14 Oct.

Registration is requested via Eventbrite …

REGISTER NOW

Topic outline

Trans-European findings and approaches about the developments and perspectives of the transformation of urban design and large housing settlements of post-war Modernism, from the 20th to the 21st century, considering major development and policy goals: transformability of inhabited stock and modern heritage, resilience and sustainability of urban (re)development, infrastructure, energy and building materials, and social cohesion. 

The development of housing settlements and urban planning of post-war modernism embodies a multi-layered transformation – in dealing with scarcity, newness, change, existing built fabric and future tasks – which is significant in the European context, especially in the Central European countries along the former Iron Curtain, in order to learn from the history of development and sustainably open up future perspectives.

The emergence of the residential quarters and cities of tomorrow followed the housing shortage after World War II and was based on the critical approach and innovation represented by modern housing construction of the interwar period. The upcoming genesis was driven by social and economic developments and the period of change after 1989, with phases of transition, decline, civil society activism, urban redevelopment, renovation, renewal, and as well preservation. This development from the turn of the millennium to present day shapes the form, perception, and function as a built environment and living space for millions of people. In every respect, the crucial examination is on current transformations, resilience, and future capabilities in the face of structural change, demographics, the climate crisis, housing shortages, and social challenges.

Schedule

working status

Further speakers, participants, moderators to be announced soon

Conference DAY 1
Mon – Oct 14, 2024 

08:30 Registration at conference venue:
Lichthaus (Dreyhauptstrasse 3, 06108 Halle – near: market square and Hallmarkt)

09:30 Short tour towards Franckesche Stiftungen (Franckeplatz 1, Haus 37, 06110 Halle)
with panoramic view over Halle and Halle-Neustadt – transfer back to Lichthaus

09:45 Welcoming at Lichthaus
Assignment – Keynote-Panel:
(working status) 

  • Klara Geywitz, German Federal Minister for Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB)
  • Lydia Hüskens, Minister of Infrastructure and Digital Affairs of the State of Saxony-Anhalt
  • René Rebenstorf, Deputy Mayor for Urban Development and Environment
  • Vera Winthagen, (New European Bauhaus, Joint Research Center of the European Commission) 
  • tba, Future Center for German Unity and European Transformation
  • tba, Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage (MKiDN); Ministry of Development (MR) 

——— 11:00 Coffee-Break ———

11:15 Prelude – Intro Halle 

  • Impulse lectures about Halle / Halle-Neustadt (2-3 speakers)

——— 12:00 Lunch-Break ——— 

13:00 Section 1:
Origins | Future Cities – emerging futures 

  • Impulse-statements (4-6 speakers)
  • Workshop-Talk / Round-table discussion (incl. short break)
  • Breakout-Rooms (plus audience): Learning about diverse realms and realities of the origins of the „future cities“
  • Lessons learned – Question: What do we inherit from “historic futures”, positive/negative legacy? 

——— 15:15 Coffee-Break ——— 

15:30 Section 2:
Transitions | Transforming Realities – alterations of decline and renewal 

  • Impulse-statements (4-6 speakers)
  • Workshop-Talk / Round-table discussion (incl. short break)
  • Breakout-Rooms (plus audience): Learning about diverse realms and realities of transformation 
  • Lessons learned – Question: What crucial abilities can we derive for sustainable transformations? 

——— 18:30 Late-Break (with snacks) ———

19:00 Keynote 1 (tba)
Discussion (amongst keynote speakers + audience participation) 

20:30 Reception (Get-together) 

Conference DAY 2
Tue – Oct 15, 2024 

08:30 Registration (for arrivals on day 2)

09:30 Section 3:
Contemporary | Domains of Activism – her/histories of activism 

  • Impulse-statements (4-6 speakers)
  • Workshop-Talk / Round-table discussion (incl. short break)
  • Breakout-Rooms (plus audience): Learning about diverse realms and realities of the domains of activism 
  • Lessons learned – Question: How or how long can temporary achievements maintain permanent? 

——— 12:30 Lunch-Break ———

13:30 Section 4:
Upcoming | Agencies of Tomorrow – local and planetary challenges

  • Impulse-statements (4-6 speakers)
  • Workshop-Talk / Round-table discussion (incl. short break)
  • Breakout-Rooms (plus audience): Exploring emergences of present chances and challenges
  • Lessons learned – Question: How can we pursue/sustain (trans-sectoral) agencies for a better future? 

——— 16:30 Late-Break ——— 

17:00 Keynote 2 (tba)
Discussion (amongst keynote speakers + audience participation) 

18:30 Closing panel – Finale lessons:
Sketching big points of postwar modern housing for tomorrow

20:00 End 

Pre-/Post-Conference
Excursions 13 + 16 Oct

  • Sunday, 13 Oct, 16:30–18:00: Pre Conference Tour through Halle-Neustadt (details + guide tba)
  • Wednesday 16 Oct: Post Conference Tour Through Halle-Neustadt (details + guide tba)
  • Registration is requested via Eventbrite

Stay tuned via Social Media

Apart from the main festival season the website www.triennale-der-moderne.de is only updated occasionally. In the meanwhile, we keep you posted via our Social Media channels. If you want to help to spread the news, we will be happy to see your likes, shares and re-posts 🙂

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Cooperation partners / Supporters

  • ETOM – European Triennial of Modernism 
  • ETOM NEB Lab –
    represented by the Coordination Group:
    • BHROX bauhaus reuse / zukunftsgeraeusche
    • KEK – Hungarian Contemporary Arch. Center
    • ICOMOS international,
    • NGP – National Gallery Prague
    • SVK – Slovak Design Center
    • EKA – Estonian Academy of Art,
    • ACE – Architects’ Council of Europe
    • buschfeld.com – graphic and interface design

Corresponding Event
in Halle (Saale), Germany

Symposium in German with several workshops, exhibitions, guided tours and formats of activism – all on 12 – 15 Sep and therefore easy to combine with a visit of our conference, as „wohn_komplex“ takes place on the extended weekend before we start …

Corresponding
Partner Events in Poland

(related to the special focus and cooperation) 

  • Exhibition „Housing Product“, 15 Nov 2024 – 31 Jan 2025, Warsaw Architecture Pavilion ZODIAK – the program with exhibition, workshops, discussions and lectures will show the iterations of the housing system in Warsaw – from the communist period, to first market developments and financialization.

As well as …

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official visual for external promotion —
photo credits: Halle-Neustadt, building site mid 1960s, photographer: unknown; source: Halle-Neustadt Bildarchiv, graphics: buschfeld.com