Slow Urban Planning: The Future of Tribsees

After reunification, public spaces in former East Germany were refurbished, but many small towns and villages continue to suffer from population exodus and high vacancy rates. In Tribsees, 70 of 240 houses in the downtown area were unoccupied in 2020. A team of artists and students led by Ton Matton collaborated with residents to explore possibilities and concepts for the town's future, resulting in new narratives of co-existence based on individual responsibility, self-sufficiency, and local production. Slow Urban Planning documents the project and its artistic interventions and highlights how urban planning processes can be adapted to better integrate performative processes.

Format: Hardback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 19 June 2023
Publisher: JOVIS Verlag

After reunification, public spaces in former East Germany underwent extensive refurbishment, yet many small towns and villages continue to face challenges related to population exodus and high vacancy rates. One such town is Tribsees in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, where approximately 70 out of 240 houses in the downtown area remain unoccupied. In 2020, a team of artists and students, led by Ton Matton, collaborated with local residents to explore potential futures for the town. Through a series of artistic interventions and discussions, they generated new narratives of co-existence, emphasizing individual responsibility, self-sufficiency, and local production.

Slow Urban Planning, a documentary film that captures this project and its artistic interventions, goes beyond documenting the specific case of Tribsees. It also sheds light on broader urban planning processes and the potential for adapting regulatory structures to better integrate performative processes.

One of the key aspects of Slow Urban Planning is its emphasis on improvisation. The artists and students involved in the project approached their work with a sense of openness and curiosity, allowing for spontaneous interactions and creative responses to the unique characteristics of each building and community. This approach resulted in a range of artistic interventions that were both visually stunning and socially relevant.

For example, in one of the buildings in Tribsees, the artists created a series of installations that explored the concept of communal living. They used furniture and other materials to create shared spaces where residents could gather and interact. These installations not only provided a functional use for the building but also fostered a sense of community and belonging among residents.

Another example of the improvisational approach is the use of local materials and production processes. The artists worked closely with local craftsmen and producers to source materials for their installations and to create works that were both sustainable and reflective of the town's heritage. This not only supported local businesses but also contributed to the town's unique identity and sense of place.

Slow Urban Planning also highlights the importance of collaboration and engagement with local residents. The project involved a series of workshops and discussions that allowed residents to voice their concerns, ideas, and aspirations for the future of their town. This collaborative approach ensured that the project's outcomes were responsive to the needs and desires of the community.

In addition to its artistic interventions, Slow Urban Planning offers valuable insights into the broader challenges facing small towns and villages. It highlights the need for sustainable and inclusive urban planning practices that prioritize the well-being of residents and the environment. It also emphasizes the importance of community engagement and participation in decision-making processes, as this can lead to more effective and sustainable solutions.

Overall, Slow Urban Planning is a powerful documentary that showcases the potential for art and creativity to shape the future of cities and communities. It provides a valuable perspective on urban planning processes and the role that artists and residents can play in shaping the urban landscape. Through its emphasis on improvisation, collaboration, and local production, Slow Urban Planning offers a model for other communities seeking to address similar challenges and create more vibrant and sustainable places.

Dimension: 230 x 165 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783868597691