The tour in Brussels
Will the future garden be a meadow, a vegetable patch or a Garden of Eden? Most likely it will be less beautiful and less harmonious than all of these, not despite, but because – if all goes well – it will be a place of encounter, exchange and cooperation. This also means: a place of different attitudes and conflict that proves to be a ground for togetherness. On a walk along the Brussels Canal, a neighbourhood far from conflict-free, we look for approaches to such exchange. How can cross-social public spaces be created, what role do concrete greenery and other measures against climate change play, what role urban initiatives in the revitalisation of old industrial buildings? We will hear about interim uses of buildings which – somewhere between commercial orientation and free use – allow creative fillings before their function is once again fixed. We will talk about urban gardening, roof terraces and the possibility of understanding cultural institutions such as the emerging 'Kanal' project as political places.
Brussels guide
Olaf Winkler, architecture journalist, city guide and artist, studied architecture in Aachen and Vienna. He has worked as a freelance architecture critic for leading German architecture magazines since 1997 and was editor of two architecture magazines for twelve years. He has been a member of architectural juries, publishes books and gives guided tours on architecture and urban culture.
At the same time, he works as an artist with a focus on painting and is a founding member of the Brussels-based artist cooperative Level Five.
Olaf Winkler lives in Schwerte and, since 2006, has spent a large part of his life in Brussels.
Workshop La Fresque des Nouveaux Récits
Redefining our social norms to overcome the socio-ecological impasse.
Based on the latest findings in neuroscience, La Fresque is a tool that enables individuals, companies, and institutions to imagine a different—and better—future. Nothing less.
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Workshop Groenloof
Feed the system-nurturing connections by Saar Monde
The workshop begins with a round of gratitude, where participants express appreciation for their daily food, fostering a sense of connection and thankfulness. It then explores the concept of being part of an ecosystem through personal reflections and activities illustrating ecosystem dynamics. The focus shifts to the gap with the globalized, industrial food system. We discuss what we know about processed foods observing a can of ravioli, investigating the production processes, examining the social and ecological impacts and identifying key players in the food system. Finally, participants explore ways to become agents of change, promoting sustainability and ecological balance within the food system.
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