In the midst of the current discourse around the reconstruction of Berlin’s historical centre, the conference brings together representatives from architecture, sociology, archaeology, politics, and activism at one of the oldest preserved buildings in the city, Klosterruine Berlin. Here, they pose the question: In what kind of city do we want to live together in the future and, accordingly, what is the relationship between past, present and future?

In the form of short lectures, city tours and discussions, we will address questions of how urban planning and architecture can be implemented, drawing on fragmented histories, confronting current social and ecological problems and opening up ideas that look to the future.

While on the first conference day, archaeological and material aspects of memory architecture will be discussed; on the second day, social and performative issues will be in the foreground. Aspects of economy, ecology, identity, infrastructure and violence will play an overarching role on both days.

We see the conference as a contribution to an open and inclusive rememberance culture and want to point out the value of diverse spaces and histories for a pluralistic society.

 

Saturday, 26 August, 2023
On the Archaeology of Memory Architecture

3.00pm: Welcome and introduction by Juliane Bischoff and Philipp Krüpe
(in German)

3.30pm: Archaeological theater or historical populism? On the Present and Future of the Klosterruine Berlin and its surroundings. Conversation between Philipp Oswalt and Ute Müller-Tischler
(in German)

4.00pm: Statements
Verena Hartbaum: On the Political Economy of Retrospective Building (in German)
Matthias Grünzig: Molkenmarkt and the Berlin Altstadt-Lobby (in German)
Leo Hermann: Urban Planning and Its Discreet Charm (in German)
Philipp Krüpe: Alt-Berlin, Disneyland. The Picturesque and Its Histories of Violence (in German)
Anna Yeboah: looking back – Black Resistance in Berlin (in German)
Esra Akcan: A Critical Reception of IBA-1984/87 (pre-recorded) (in English)

7.00pm: Panel
Berlin’s Historic Center – Between Selective Memory, Valorization of History, and Utopias for the Future
Discussion with Verena Hartbaum, Philipp Oswalt, Mathias Schulz and Matthias Grünzig, Moderation: Niloufar Tajeri 
(in German with simultaneous translation into English)

 

Sunday, 27 August, 2023
On the Sociologies of Memory Architecture

3.00pm: Medieval Life in the Center of Berlin – Tour with Claudia Melisch (in German)

4.30pm: Statements
Pablo Santacana Lopéz: The Puy du Fou Theme Park as a Spatial Practice of Right-Identitarian Memory (in German)
Niloufar Tajeri: Identity and Heritage at Hermannplatz: Architecture between Essentialization and Resistance (in German)
Simone Hain: Leftist Spaces under Attack (in German)
Stephan Trüby: The “Tektonisierung“ of (Berlin’s) Social Democracy (in German)
Noa K. Ha: Colonial Implications of the European City (in German)

7.00pm: Panel
Envisioning the Future of Berlin: The Urban imaginary, Democracy and Society
Discussion with Noa K. Ha, Simone Hain, Niloufar Tajeri and Stephan Trüby, Moderation: Georg Diez
(in German with simultaneous translation into English)

 

For the conference a newsprint contribution by virgil b/g taylor will appear.

In collaboration with

Funded by