Commentary on the event SLO} {discussions 2 "Medium Size City: Opportunities for urban development in Ljubljana" on April 26th, 2006 at HDA Graz; written by Karin Tschavgova
Guests were:
Theorist Roemer van Toorn [NL]
Bevk in Perovic Arhitekti, Monochrome Architects [SLO]
Young Slovenian architecture and urbanism in focus – part 2. How could a medium-sized city such as Ljubljana develop a profile and: does it really need branding?
Was it the attraction of FC Barcelona playing AC Milan or had it been the somewhat long-winded monologues of Andrej Hrausky, the archivist of Slovenian architecture, on the first evening of the ZV event series SLO/discussions, that left some seats unoccupied for the second part of the event series last Wednesday at HdA? It could not have been the topic; taking up the theme of opportunities (and problems) in the urban development of medium-sized cities such as Ljubljana seemed particularly attractive given that the city does indeed feature similarities to Graz with regard to structure and topography. Consequently, in his opening statement, Roemer van Toorn from the Netherlands posed some general questions as to the contemporary identity of medium-sized cities with the aim of triggering the discussion. He enquired about what could replace the obsolete concept of the national state, in order to clarify immediately that “cosmopolitan reality” which, as a consequence of globalisation, determines citizens’ thinking (and consumer behaviour) and the image of the city, was far too banal to be able to create an identity. So what could cosmopolitism mean today; in what way would citizens by able to redefine themselves as cosmopolitan?
According to the architects, these kinds of questions as to the quest for an identity or a “branding” of the city of Ljubljana seem not to be dealt with in that city. They complain about missing programmatic approaches concerning urban development, they do not even have an office at the municipal administration dedicated to urban planning, with the result that the city is not at all prepared for investors or a settlement and building boom. Van Toorn also quoted a study, which was consequently carried out at the Berlage Institute Amsterdam. The authors pursued a rather pragmatic approach analysing the city, also with regard to (unresolved) land ownership in the city centre. They assign the city a kind of hinge function between two regions.
Before one could embark on finding potential answers to the question for a contemporary cosmopolitism and topical vision for the European city in a discussion, both invited Slovenian teams gave a short presentation of their work and methods.
Public authorities commission Matija Bevk and Vasa J. Perović, i.e. Bevk in Perović Arhitekti. Obviously they are already renowned in Slovenia and, since building the residence for the Dutch ambassador, they can count on publicity for their buildings reaching beyond Slovenian borders. They embarked on the theme of the evening, urbanism in Ljubljana, by highlighting the fact that their particular focus is on the interface between inside and outside and between the collective and the individual. The importance the two architects give to public space was illustrated with the example of their social housing project in Polje near Ljubljana in which, despite stringent finances, they gave a lot of attention to the allocation and design of outdoor spaces.
Monochrome Architects, the second speakers of the evening, are (still) more on the experimental and theoretical side, oscillating between art and architecture. Represented by eloquent architect Spela Hudnik, the group presented a very interesting pendant to Bevk in Perović. It was not architectural work in the strictest sense, but rather the structure and programme of “Euphoria”, the latest Architecture Biennial in Ljubljana organised by Monochrome, that was shown. The provocative topic of a competition of ideas organised in this context, for which 27 projects from 13 countries were handed in, were “Skyscrapers” for the young capital. Nevertheless, Spela Hudnik asked whether (such kinds of) events with a clear profile and in which people on site are included, might not be more apt for creating an identity for a medium-sized city, rather than some spectacular buildings, such as the Gehry museum in Bilbao, which are superimposed on a city. The question as to whether the Bilbao effect must be perceived as negative or could also be seen positively, cleverly posed by Roemer van Toorn in his introduction, was neither taken up by the architect nor brought into discussion later. It seems to not be topical for Ljubljana.
After this evening, one would like to draw the attention of stakeholders in municipal politics to the potential for thinking and acting that the city holds with committed “patriots” such as Bevc, Perović or Hudnik. One should use their services wisely in order to seize the current chance of a fast development and to structure and gear it to the benefit of citizens. Once before with Plecnik, an architect contributed significantly to the formation of an identity for Ljubljana.Next term:
Wednesday, May 31, 2006, 7.00 p.m. - HDA Graz, Engelgasse 3-5
SLO} {discussions 3
Topic: "Slovenia and Austria: Everybody for himself or together we are stronger?"
Theorist: Andreas Ruby [D]
Architects: Sadar Vuga Arhitekti [SLO], Roger Riewe [A]
Discussion leader: Martin Krammer
> > SLO} {exhibition
“NEXT TO YOU: Young Architecture from Maribor”
In Cooperation with Umetnostna Galerija Maribor / Maribor Art Gallery
at HDA Haus der Architektur, Engelgasse 3-5.
Duration of exhibition: March 30 – May 31, 2006
Opened from monday to friday 10.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.
- Verfasser/in:
- Karin Tschavgova, commentary
