From 2012 to 2022, IBA Heidelberg aims to initiate and implement projects and processes related to the knowledge society. Its guiding theme is Wissen | schafft | Stadt (Knowledge | Based | Urbanism). In principle, this means focusing aspects of social change on their urban development and architectural dimensions: How does the European city have to change to meet the requirements of tomorrow’s knowledge society? Heidelberg is the perfect test bench. Both the city and its university are developing in a balance between tradition and modernism. The city is home to a range of internationally acclaimed scientific institutions. The conflict between preservation and renewal has plenty of potential for the model of the future city of knowledge. The Executive Director is Michael Braum, and Carl Zillich is Chief Curator.
Together with the Board of Trustees, IBA Heidelberg developed 4+1 key thematic areas: Science, learning spaces, networks, material cycles and, as a superordinate area, the co-produced city. Between now and 2022, the IBA projects will give a selective impression of potential solutions for a future city of knowledge. In addition to research and educational institutions, schools, daycare centres and places of cultural education, the projects also include student accommodation, parks and public spaces.
In 2018, the progress of the IBA Process will be documented in an intermediate presentation. The final presentation will show all projects in a full exhibition.
IBA Heidelberg is the first IBA financed exclusively by a city. It does not have any in-house resources for construction investments. As a result, it relies to a greater extent on subsidy programmes and private investments. From the outset, IBA Heidelberg has viewed its topic as an international problem with a local impact that searches for answers with corresponding knowledge transfer via existing and new networks.
