The City as a Univers defines itself not only as a generator of cultural, social, economic and ecological processes, but also as a seismograph reflecting global developments. The architecture profession bears a significant responsibility and holds a both a supporting and political role, in the context of worldwide challenges to develop sustainable strategies and concepts in architecture and urban planning. Climate change and its impacts present new challenges for cities. In Hamburg, these challenges have guided a re-evaluation of necessary activities in this regard. By means of a comprehensive climate protection programme, CO2 emissions will be reduced by approximately 40% before the year 2020. In 2011, as “Green Capital”, Hamburg will be designated Climate Capital of Europe. This theme will be furthered in 2013, when an international building exhibition takes places with numerous new ecological projects.
Initiated by the Municipal Authority for Urban Development and Environment, Hamburg within the framework of the Hamburger summer of architecture and curated by Kristin Feireiss, the Seismograph City exhibition places itself in an international conversation. A broad and diverse spectrum of projects demonstrating developments in sustainable architecture and urban planning strategies are presented-built projects, projects in progress, and visionary designs, under the categories of new build, conversion, infrastructure, flood prevention, coastal barriers, energy generation and visions. Including more than 80 projects, the exhibition illustrates the range of response within specific countries and allows for international comparisons.
The exhibited projects provide a fascinating insight into the current position of the city of Hamburg, relative to many other cities and countries, including Bangkok-Thailand, New Orleans-USA, Reykjavik-Iceland, Chongming Island-China, Caracas-Venezuela, Quebec City-Canada, Kampem-The Netherlands. The projects and design proposals are fascinating and sometimes surprising. They stimulate our imaginations, make us curious and inspire us. They boldly envision a liveable environment and they instigate a hopeful and long overdue further examination on the theme of urban sustainability. In a series of video interviews, selected experts- among them Michael Braungart, Winy Maas and Werner Sobek, elaborate on current strategies for sustainable planning and research in architecture and urban development. Creativity is sustained by dialogue and an openness to the new. Seismograph City is an invitation to us all to take part in this dialogue.
Catalogue
An Aedes catalogue was published.
With texts by Anja Hajduk and Jörn Walter
ISBN 978-3-937093-05-5
German/English
Price € 10,-
Sponsors
Hamburgische Wohnungsbaukreditanstalt, Lorberg, Zumtobel, ArcelorMittal, Busch-Jaeger, carpetconcept, AXOR Hansgrohe
