Modern Housing postwar –
Cities of Tomorrow?

International conference on the occasion of “60 years of Halle-Neustadt”
in the framework of “ETOM – European Triennial of Modernism” and the “NEB – New European Bauhaus”

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 and will be opened on 1 Sep via Eventbrite (Link)

 

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

08:00 Registration at conference venue:
„Lichthaus“ (Dreyhauptstrasse 3, 06108 Halle – near: market square and Hallmarkt)

08:30 Visit of Franckesche Stiftungen (Franckeplatz 1, Haus 37, 06110 Halle – see Google Map), guided by Thomas Grunewald, Franckesche Stiftungen with a panoramic view over Halle and Halle-Neustadt – transfer back to Lichthaus

09:45

• Introduction by Robert K. Huber, ETOM NEB Lab, zukunftsgeraeusche

10.00 Assignment – Keynote-Panel:

• Klara Geywitz, German Federal Minister for Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB)
• Mario Kremling, Director Sachsen-Anhaltische Landesentwicklungsgesellschaft (SALEG)
• René Rebenstorf, Deputy Mayor for Urban Development and Environment
• Hanna Radziejowska, Director Pilecki-Institute Berlin
• had to cancel on short notice: Vera Winthagen, (New European Bauhaus, Joint Research Center of the European Commission)
• Moderators: Riin Atalu, ICOMOS;  Uta Pottgiesser, DOCOMOMO International; Robert K. Huber, zukunftsgeraeusche

——— 11:00 Coffee-Break ———

11:15  Prelude

Previous lessons and introduction to Halle / Halle-Neustadt

• Uta Pottgiesser, DOCMOMO International – Lessons Learned:
  Annual conference of DOCOMOMO Germany and the „Frankfurt Declaration of Housing“
• Harald Kegler, University Halle: Introduction about Halle-Neustadt

——— 12:00 Lunch-Break ———

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

The title of this section refers to the “historical future designs” and “projected futures” that are related to the urban planning designs and large-scale housing concepts of post-WWII Modernism. The subject of the first section is the investigation of these origins, based on the qualities and weaknesses of these future concepts of the time and their implementation, with a view to understanding the causes and backgrounds on the one hand and from today’s perspective on the other. The topic and examination make use of reference examples, particularly in a Central European comparison, with the urban planning, architectural, housing, transport, cultural and social concepts and implementations being considered as contextually as possible. [More Info]

Impulse-statements :

• Helena Huber-Doudová, ETOM NEB Lab / National Gallery Prague
• Michał Wisniewski, ICC Krakow
• Svitlana Smolenska, div. universities (Ukraine / Germany)
• Verica Krstic, University of Belgrade
• Hana Řepková, National Monument Institute, Prague
• Gergely Hartmann, MOME – Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design Budapest / Project „ModernGyőr“
• Mykola Bevz, Lviv Polytechnic University
• had to cancel at short notice: Thomas Flierl, Architectural Historian, Max-Lingner Foundation, Berlin

Workshop-Talk / workshop discussions (incl. short break)

• Moderators: Uta Pottgiesser, DOCMOMO International; Helena Huber-Doudová, ETOM / National Gallery Prague
• 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

Section two deals with the comprehensive changes, including the political, societal, and economic circumstances – structural changes – in the transition period after the fall of the so-called Iron Curtain as well as the concrete urban development changes and especially urban redevelopment programs of this period. By introducing reference examples, particularly in an Central European comparison the section focusses a holistic and analytical view of the reasons and critical aspects of why and how changes and (re)development programs have been elaborated and implemented. [More Info]

Impulse-statements :

• Hubert Trammer, ETOM NEB Lab / New European Bauhaus – High Level Roundtable
• Peter Szalay, Slovak Academy of Sciences
• Tinatin Gurgenidze, Tbilisi Architecture Biennal
• Hanna Bondar, Member of the Ukrainian Parliament
• Regina Balla, Budapest University of Technology and Economics
• Guido Schwarzendahl, Cooperative Housing International / Bauverein Halle & Leuna

Workshop-Talk / workshop discussions (incl. short break)

• Moderators: Eszter Dávida, ETOM NEB Lab / KÉK – The Hungarian Contemporary Architecture Center / New European Bauhaus – High-Level Roundtable; János Klaniczay, ETOM NEB Lab / KÉK – The Hungarian Contemporary Architecture Center

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

• Joanna Kusiak, University of Cambridge / SFB 294 „Strukturwandel des Eigentums“
• 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 Welcoming Day 2
Interlude – Introduction to Halle / Halle-Neustadt

• Christian Drobe, Masaryk University, Brno / Exhibition „Nach den Maschinen“, Salinemuseum Halle
• Henry Marten, Lichthaus Halle / aufblick gGmbH

10:00 Section 3:
Contemporary | Domains of Activism – her/histories of activism

The title of section three refers to the respective contemporary or up-to-date approaches to activist engagement or its respective “her/histories”.  The notion of activism incorporates activist approaches from the period before the fall of the so-called Iron Curtain, for example in terms of preservation and cautious or protective urban renewal, until previous or today’s forms of activist engagement that originate from the post-1989 transition. The section title “Contemporary” reflects on these notions, delving into the current approaches to activist engagement and each of their her/histories of these once contemporary “eras”.
The focus is on civic society engagement in the transition period; while Halle-Neustadt in particular represents a significant example of activist-driven development and – now – her/history in this regard. The impulse contributions and international examples again foster the Central European comparison. [More Info] 

• Zofia Piotrowska, WSPÓŁ Association for Housing / RZUT Quarterly
• Polina Ljaševa, „Lasnaidee“ – community movement in Lasnamäe housing area, promoting urban quality
• Alex Axinte, Studio Basar
• Barbara Szij, KÉK – The Hungarian Contemporary Architecture Center“
• Barbara Engel, KIT Karlsruhe
• Saimir Kristo, Universiteti Barleti, Tirana / Tirana Architecture Triennale

Workshop-Talk / Workshop discussions (incl. short break)

• Moderators: Klára Prešnajderová, Slovak Design Center; Kacper Kępiński, NIAiU – National Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning, Warsaw
• 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

The topic of the last section deals with future prospects, based on current and future development and policy goals, including a comparison of local future concepts and urban development agendas across Central European cities, taking into account exemplary local and overarching, European and global framework conditions and objectives. [More Info]

Impulse-statements:

• Ruta Leitanaite, ETOM NEB Lab / Architects‘ Council of Europe / UREHERIT program
• Monika Konrad, City of Warsaw Deputy Director Department of Architecture and Spatial Planning  / Brno Technical University
• Zoltán Erő, Chief Architect of Budapest
• Yvette Vašourková, CCEA – Centre for Central European Architecture
• Bernd Hunger, Competence Center for Large Housing Estates
• Ulrich Möbius, Project „Stasi Areal Halle“, Peissnitzhaus

Workshop-Talk / Workshop discussions (incl. short break)

• Moderators: Ruta Leitanaite, ETOM NEB Lab / Architects‘ Council of Europe / Architects Association of Lithuania; Robert K. Huber, ETOM NEB Lab / BHROX bauhaus reuse / zukunftsgeraeusche

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

• Lenka Burgerova, Prague 7 – deputy mayor / Technical University of Liberec / Technical University Prague
• Discussion (amongst keynote speakers + audience participation)

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

As the closing round of discussion, the “final lessons” initially serve to bring together the “lessons learned” from the four topic sections, as well as takeaways from the keynote lectures, and reflect and summarize on them in interrelation. Building on this, the objective of “Sketching big points of postwar modern housing for tomorrow” should ideally be to summarize overarching big points for recommendations, ideas for strategies, or measures that can have a significant positive influence on the future sustainable development of urban design and large-scale housing construction of post-1945 Modernism.

• had to cancel on short notice: Agata Twardoch, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice
• Nataliia Mysak, ETOM NEB Lab / Spatial Practice Lab, Lviv
• Marlena Happach, Poland National Institute of Heritage
• plus further speakers of the conference

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)