IN-PERSON London. Section A
Abstract
This research investigates the synergies and tensions between the role of the municipality and the scope of citizen participation in fostering sustainable, livable urban public spaces and in the context of mobility transitions through a comparative analysis of two case studies in Munich, Germany. The first case study dissects the deployment of experimental temporary measures in the form of pop-up bike lanes by the municipal government, examining the immediate impacts on urban mobility and scrutinizing the influence and importance of citizen participation on the timeline and success of such measures. The analysis delves into the interconnected dynamics of municipal decision-making and the relationship between local politics, public administration, and citizen engagement. Conversely, the second case study explores the municipality’s engagement within a neighborhood urban development living lab, emphasizing the coalescence of municipal strategies and citizen participation for research purposes. Special attention is given to the dynamics of a living lab environment where municipal decisions intertwine with the active participation of citizens. Central to this comparative analysis is the examination of the inclusivity, transparency, and responsiveness of municipal engagement, identifying critical factors that foster or impede effective citizen participation in urban living labs and pop-up processes. Methodologically, a multifaceted approach is employed, blending qualitative and quantitative methods such as interviews, surveys, and observational studies. The findings contribute not only to our understanding of urban experimentations but also shed light on the intricate relationships that determine the success of these strategies, where the logic of an iterative design approach encounters the question of democratic legitimation.
Marco Kellhammer studied Industrial Design with a focus on socially and ecologically sustainable design. Currently, he co-leads a transdisciplinary research project on car-reduced neighborhoods for a livable city at TU Munich. He is researching the Transition Design approach in the context of urban mobility and is working on his dissertation titled ‘Reframing Mobility – Transition Design for the New Everyday.’ Marco works at the intersection of transformative research and design, where he explores ways of collaboratively imagining societal futures independent of present path dependencies.
Elena Schirnding de Almeida studied Architecture at the TU Munich, in Brazil and in France and Political Sciences as a minor at Ludwig-Maximilian University. She has several years of experience within public planning and construction authorities. Currently, she leads the “Public Planning Lab” at TU Munich, an interdisciplinary post-graduate seminar designed for future leaders in public administration. In her research, she focuses on experimental approaches, with a particular emphasis on scrutinizing building and planning authorities. She questions how urban transformation processes can be accelerated and whether the Design Thinking method represents a paradigm shift in our planning culture.
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Wednesday 26th June, 2024