Archive: IBA Berlin 2020

City as a forum

It is essential for an IBA to be a public forum for as many people as possible. Dialoguing with city and international experts is just as crucial as the inclusion of interested stakeholders from the city's general public when it comes to achieving progress on issues that concern the "city of the future". The IBA and IBA projects draw upon the experience, expertise and ideas of all those involved. As part of a broad-based social discourse, the IBA will connect the know-how of different scientific disciplines and occupations with each other.

At the same time, though, the IBA will not just leave it at the fundamental discussion of future issues. An increasing number of citizens are demanding access to the planning processes and participation in the decisions. How does a democratic society deal with the inertia of decision-takers and opponents, with inflexible laws, with competing concepts, with attempts at monopolisation by particular interests, and with the assertiveness of the experienced? How can local neighbourhoods and users be included, while still taking into account the interests of the overall city? The IBA wants to develop new methods for negotiation and decision-taking processes - including through the use of the internet.


Graphics: Thomas Rustemeyer