A street

The Future of City Centers: The Case of Graf-Adolf-Straße in Düsseldorf

Despite traffic congestion, vacant storefronts, and social hotspots, Graf-Adolf-Straße in Düsseldorf remains both a living piece of history and a site of future potential for many residents. Current challenges raise questions that are relevant for city centers everywhere: What will happen to urban spaces if not only businesses, but also cultural institutions, social and religious organizations, and local residents disappear? Has the pandemic accelerated the segregation of urban life, and what strategies or alternatives can counter this trend? Could the current situation be an opportunity to rethink city centers as heterogeneous spaces for a complex urban society, balanced ecologically, economically, and socially?

At the same time, practical questions arise: What role can civic engagement, self-responsibility, cultural participation, and local knowledge play in addressing these challenges? Could a mandatory ISG (Interest and Support Group), as proposed by some street stakeholders, promote and support such engagement?

These questions will be discussed with political representatives, citizens, and experts at Graf-Adolf-Platz 15, overlooking the city, to develop grounded concepts for the present and future of the street.

Speakers:

• Clara Gerlach, Mayor of Düsseldorf
• Miriam Koch, Head of the Office for Migration and Integration, Düsseldorf
• Mischa Kuball, Artist and Professor of Public Art, KHM Cologne
• Hans-Günther Oepen, Chair, ISG Graf-Adolf-Straße, Düsseldorf
• Mario Reale, greeen! architects, Düsseldorf

Moderator: Markus Ambach, MAP, Düsseldorf

Date & Time: Thursday, October 21, 2021, 7:00 PM
Participation by registration only; the meeting point will be announced upon registration. Registration closes one week before the event.