Study
metris architekten + stadtplaner, Heidelberg
metris architekten + stadtplaner, Heidelberg
Institutions that participated
Max Planck Institute for Astronomy
University of Heidelberg
University Teaching Hospital Heidelberg
European Molecular Biology Laboratory – EMBL
SRH Hochschule
Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics
Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law
Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum
Heidelberg University of Education
Max Planck Institute for Medical Research
Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies
Max Planck Society
Vermögen und Bau Baden-Württemberg
State of Baden-Württemberg (Minister Bauer)
City of Heidelberg
IBA Heidelberg
Land Baden Württemberg
Carla Jung-König
In the developed industrial nations economic and social developments are crucially driven by innovations, research, and education. »Knowledge« as a factor depends on the specific spatial situation. First, quite pragmatically: Research institutes need space to develop, they must be readily accessible. Moreover, it is important that the quality of the place is right, that the people working in R&D are stimulated by contact with other scientists and creative minds. Science needs an environment that supports open-mindedness and creativity, which offers young start-ups opportunities to develop. To this end, science must be lively and present in the city – both in everyday life and in the education hubs.
In order to intensify communication between the city administration and the sciences, IBA assumed the role of intermediary and coordinated the interaction between the various players. It thus invited experts who together explored the preconditions that knowledge cities require in order to develop productively. Examples from other cities were presented and jointly analyzed in the »Knowledge+City LAB« set up for this purpose, and stimuli for scientific institutions and the city administration identified and discussed. Together and resulting from this, a spatial vision was devised: spatial strategies for the sciences. These highlight what potentials have hitherto not been tapped and where improvement is needed going forwards – from stronger links to the region through to networking individual buildings.
At the same time, this planning basis corresponds with the City of Heidelberg’s development plans and thus comprises an important element of urban development in coming decades.