IN-PERSON Manchester Livable Cities

Abstract

Current social dynamics and change processes cause great uncertainty among substantial segments of the population and are often perceived as threats. However, when we relate transformation to the historical context of urban development, we see that constant change and adaptability have always been important aspects of successful urban development. Society, politics, and discourse among architects and urban planners formulate a range of demands and ambitions towards urban transformation projects in the post-industrial context. These demands include mixed-use developments with affordable housing, high-quality public green spaces, sustainable transport solutions, and technical infrastructure, as well as climate mitigation and adaptation measures. Although rapid implementation is expected, in reality we are confronted with slow democratic decision-making processes, lengthy approval procedures, and challenging financing conditions. For this reason, we need new governance instruments, such as innovative real-world laboratories, effective funding frameworks, and regulatory freedom for implementation. These processes require courage to experiment and social acceptance of temporary, unfinished intermediate stages. Based on various case studies, including the 22@ urban transformation project in Barcelona and Blauquartier in Ulm, this paper illustrates how to navigate between abstract ambitions and real-world constraints. In this context, the increasing obsolescence of existing urban functions is a challenge, an opportunity, and a resource all at once. Therefore, it is essential to combine social, environmental, and economic innovation into integrated transformation strategies. As these case studies show, certain implementation projects are already more advanced, in terms of balancing conflicting interests, than some entrenched theoretical and political debates would suggest, and therefore encourage us to continue moving forward towards a more sustainable urban future.