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

08:30 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
• tba, Future Center for German Unity and European Transformation
• tba, Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage (MKiDN); Ministry of Development (MR)
• tba, Representative EU, from European Commission (EC) / New European Bauhaus (NEB)

——— 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)