Although these days talk of necessary redevelopment, renewal, reinvention and change of function in Bremen is often undertaken in context of the local football team Werder; generally the focus is the former harbour areas. With the relocation of the oversea harbours from their former city locations, Bremen has found itself with large areas of land and innumerate buildings looking for a new identity and new functions.
Bremen of course isn't the only maritime metropolis having to come to terms with and respond to such changes, and until April 27th the Wilhelm Wagenfeld Haus is presenting an exhibition that showcases how one of Bremen's near(ish) neighbours has responded to the changes afoot there.
"CREATE WITH AARHUS Stadtentwicklung einer nordischen Metropole" presents examples of recent developments in the Danish harbour city - and as such not only presents the story of Aarhus' own development but also compares and contrasts such to recent developments in Bremen.
Quite aside from the questions of architectural aesthetics associated with urban renewal, such projects also involve important cultural, social and political aspects. Aspects that it is important to get right. Create with Aarhus will seek to explain how Aarhus has approached these problems and what solutions it has chosen - and so by extrapolation if the Aarhus way is applicable to other cities and regions. Bremen or otherwise.
Equally important are the ecological considerations. Aarhus, for example, has set itself the target of being CO2 neutral by 2030. How it plans to achieve this, and if its plans are realistic and feasible - also for Bremen and other similar cities - will also be explored in the exhibition.
In addition to presenting architectural models, films and sketches relevant to key projects in Aarhus, Create with Aarhus is also a platform for dialogue, and as such the exhibition is being accompanied by a programme of talks and discussions.
And for all who next to urban planning and architecture are also admirers of contemporary jazz - Create with Aarhus takes place in context of the Bremen Jazzahead Festival which this year features a special focus on Danish jazz.
Full details on "CREATE WITH AARHUS Stadtentwicklung einer nordischen Metropole" can be found at: www.wwh-bremen.de
