The urban planning culture in the world at large, is reaching its limits to address the multiple intersecting challenges of climate change, shifting demographic and migration flows, and the energy crisis. Planning requires, in its complexity, a pluralism of instruments and points of view.
In this context, the international symposium 'Exercise Spaces for the Open Society - Perspectives for a Cooperative Planning Culture' to be held in the City of Mannheim from 12-14 July, will bring together national and international experts and local urban planners to discuss perspectives for a new collaborative planning culture in urban development, architecture, urbanism and landscape architecture.
Our City Plans, as an incremental and adaptable methodology, will be presented amongst other world-renowned and local urban planning examples. It was developed to support and guide local governments and urban actors in understanding, customising and developing urban planning processes that are integrated and inclusive. The methodology is participatory, adaptable to diverse local contexts and based on the needs and resources of the developer. Its intention is to respond appropriately to real city necessities, addressing urban diversity in a flexible manner and making cities more liveable for all.
Our City Plans is used globally at different scales to strengthen different aspects and processes of urban planning. The methodology is applicable in urban regeneration processes and is currently being adapted to respond to the specific challenges and opportunities such projects present. Through its Flagship Programme ‘Inclusive Communities, Thriving Cities’, aiming to promote and enable social and environmental value creation through urban regeneration stakeholder engagement involving citizens, governments, and all relevant urban actors, UN-Habitat is put at the centre of this undertaking. UN-Habitat’s intervention will provide an overview of the Our City Plans methodology and highlight key tools and activities relevant to the planning of inclusive urban regeneration processes.
The symposium will take place at the Baumhainhalle in the Luisenpark. It was created at the German National Garden Show (Bundesgardenshau, BUGA) in 1975, which made Mannheim greener and more diverse. This year’s BUGA is a part of Mannheim`s Northeast Green Corridor Project, which connects 230 hectares of green areas into a corridor stretching into the city centre.
The symposium, set in this context, also offers the opportunity for participants to discover the BUGA and the new adjacent neighbourhoods.
UN-Habitat is looking forward to joining the diverse group of experts and practitioners participating in the symposium.