corner <Science> to meet you! on a tour of Europe
As part of the PREFIGURE project, 'corner' is embarking on a tour of Europe to promote the transnational exchange of knowledge. Each of the tour stops – in Sofia, Thessaloniki, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Karlsruhe and Tallinn – is unique and enriches PREFIGURE with international perspectives and fresh ideas. We will be gathering ideas, impressions and insights along the way, and we are looking forward to the diverse range of events, cities and encounters.
Co-funded by the European Union
Sofia, Bulgaria, 20 - 23 April
The first stop on the tour of Europe in the city of Sofia in Bulgaria was a resounding success. The two-day events were organised in collaboration with our PREFIGURE partner, CSD (Centre for the Study of Democracy). Of particular note was the workshop with Greenpeace.
Our video installation *WE DON’T HAVE CHERRIES* was also on display again in Sofia and is travelling across Europe with 'corner <Science> to meet you!'.
Thessaloniki, Greece, 23 - 30 April
From 24 to 29 April, corner was situated in front of the Konstantinos Karamanlis statue on the waterfront promenade in Thessaloniki. For a week, the promenade was transformed into a space for collective learning and reflection on the housing and energy crisis in Thessaloniki. Corner also served as an open classroom for students on the EPICUR course 'EPIC_LAB', who explored topics such as housing discrimination, gentrification, energy poverty and climate adaptation.
Interactive and interdisciplinary formats, such as interactive mapping sessions and focus groups, have brought the current challenges surrounding housing and energy into sharp focus. The highlight of the event was the public discussion ‘Housing in Crisis: From 'There Is No Alternative' to Housing in Thessaloniki’, featuring academics and civil society representatives.
Barcelona, Spain, 12 - 15 May
From 12 to 15 May, corner stopped off at Plaça Comercial in the El Born district of Barcelona. The focus was on a series of discussions with experts and workshops in which the ‘Wikihousing’ prototype, presented as part of the PREFIGURE tour, was discussed from various perspectives. The focus was, in particular, on legal challenges in social housing and on new approaches to creating a fairer housing policy framework. Alongside the public discussions and workshop sessions, corner once again became a space for exchange with passers-by. In numerous conversations, personal experiences, concerns and perspectives regarding fair access to housing and energy were shared and discussed. Over the course of several days, this created an open space for people to meet, debate and reflect together on social and urban issues of the future.
Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1 - 5 June
corner spent three days on the Roeterseiland university campus, organising four panel discussions, two workshops and a film screening. The activities centred on a just energy transition: Who will benefit from the energy transition? Who actually decides what constitutes energy justice? Whose voices are being excluded? To answer this, four case studies were presented: two examples of equitable, grassroots energy communities and two examples of energy inequality and exclusion. The key question here is: what can we learn from this?
Copenhagen, Denmark, 10 - 14 June
Following the opening of ‘corner’ in the Danish capital city, the first day featured a panel discussion exploring the history and current developments in energy and housing in the 'Freetown Christiania' neighbourhood, an intentional community in Copenhagen. On the second day, the focus was on interactive activities: in one workshop, participants were able to share their own stories about energy, whilst another creative workshop focused on sustainable material conservation and repair techniques. On the final day, those interested could to take part in a guided tour of Christiania and a session on energy communities and their role in the green transition. Overall, the event combined discussion, the exchange of knowledge and practical approaches – ranging from DIY heating solutions to community-led energy projects – and demonstrated how local initiatives can contribute to a more socially just energy transition.
Karlsruhe, Germany, 22 - 26 June
From 22 to 26 July, ‘corner’ stopped off at Kronenplatz, inviting visitors and interested parties to take part in public guided tours to learn more about the PREFIGURE research project and the knowledge transfer infrastructure. Once again, there were group reflection sessions to encourage discussion amongst participants, and on the TRIANGEL stage, experts took part in a panel discussion on the role that social housing allocation and renewable energy play in a sustainable future. In addition, a workshop was held in collaboration with the Karlsruhe Energy and Climate Protection Agency. This focused on how tenants, too, can actively contribute to the energy transition. Participants gained a better understanding of why tenants in particular play a key role in the energy transition, and received practical, immediately actionable tips for everyday life. There was time for questions and sharing personal experiences, as well as numerous suggestions and practical tips for sustainable living.
