In September 2011 Architecture + Design Scotland hosted an exhibition entitled City Visions 1910 | 2010: Urban Planning in Berlin, London, Paris and Chicago at The Lighthouse, Glasgow.
The exhibition was a celebration of the centenary of the 'General Town Planning Exhibition in Berlin' 1910 which promoted urban planning and design. It displayed visionary projects from four cities – Berlin, London, Paris and Chicago – and took a fresh look at the ideas and projects from 100 years ago setting them alongside new work that is shaping these major urban centres today.
The exhibition provided an opportunity to stimulate discussion about key issues in the process of transformation and regeneration of our cities, particularly in the context of urban planning. It aimed to inspire policy makers, local communities, practitioners and members of the general public about how good ideas can be realised.
In recognition of the aspirational qualities of the work on display in the exhibition, an event was held to create a platform for discussion on the future of cities. Architecture + Design Scotland invited various professional and academic experts in the field of urban design, planning and architecture to contribute their thoughts on the challenges faced by modern cities and the process of envisioning the future of city development. The invited speakers included the instigator and curators of the City Visions exhibition, designers who have worked extensively in London and Gothenberg and two representatives from the Future Glasgow City Vision project.
Recordings of each of the individual presentations delivered by the guest speakers can be seen below. A recording of the panel discussion moderated by Florian Urban, Professor of Architectural History, Glasgow School of Art, can be found at the end of this article.
Harald Bodenschatz, City Visions exhibition initiator and Professor Emeritus for Sociology of Planning and Architecture at Berlin Unversity of Technology.
Harald Bodenschatz describes the context to the Great Town Planning Exhibition in Berlin in 1910 by showing examples of some of the visions for Berlin at this time. Using the comparison made between 1910 and 2010 in the City Visions exhibition, Bodenschatz provides an overview of how the priorities of city planners have changed between these two eras.
Cordelia Polinna, City Visions exhibition curator and Professor for Sociology of Planning and Architecture at Berlin University of Technology.
Cordelia Polinna takes this discourse to a modern Berlin by presenting the master plans and redevelopment strategies which have been imposed upon the city in the last 20 years. Looking at the successes and problems with these strategies Polinna attempts to answer what the current vision might be for Berlin's future.
Presentation from Tobias Goevert, City Visions exhibition curator and Senior Design Manager, Design for London.
Looking specifically at London, Tobias Goevert explains his practice's involvement in shaping the future visions for the city. Whilst acknowledging the significant role of politics and large scale events such as Olympics can have on the regeneration of a city, Goevert also emphasises the importance of strategic improvements at a local level to stimulate investment.
Presentation from Dann Jessen, Director of East Architecture and Senior Lecturer at London Metropolitan Unversity.
Dann Jessen describes the social, economic and environmental issues which are shaping developments in Gothenberg and how citizens can be included in this process.
Presentation from Gerry Grams, City Design Advisor, Glasgow CIty Council.
Gerry Grams takes the audience on a tour of the historical visions for Glasgow describing their legacy upon the city. With reference to major redevelopment projects such as the new Commonwealth Games athlete's village, the new Gorbals and the Collegelands, Grams talks about the oportunities to reconnect underdeveloped areas of the city and the importance of reaffirming civic identity.
Presentation from Brian Evans, Head of Urbanism at the Mackintosh School of Architecture and partner of Gillespies LLP
Brian Evans describes some of the issues being explored through Glasgow's current visioning exercise. Evans delivers a holistic overview of Glasgow's assets and problems within a global context whilst suggesting directions in which the city will evolve.
Above is a recording of the panel discussion which took place following the presentations listed above. The discussion is moderated by Florian Urban, Professor of Architectural History, Glasgow School of Art.
