Demokratie und Stadt

The upcoming winter semester will see the return of the Architecture Dialogue series in cooperation with the Friends of the German Architecture Museum. Together, we want to explore the complex topic of democracy and the city. The series prepares for the World Design Capital 2026 programme and facilitates dialogue on the relationship between democracy and the city. This is linked to the question: How do we want to live together in the city of tomorrow? What approaches are needed, who should be involved, and what qualities will define the city of tomorrow? Of course, we also ask ourselves what conditions are necessary to make a city like Frankfurt a ‘city for everyone.’ How can this be achieved in a large city located in one of the most densely populated areas in Europe?

As part of the series and in relation to World Design Capital 2026, we want to try to identify ways to create a city that is more people-oriented and less focused on economic and growth-oriented goals or transport objectives. How can social demands, land policy, requirements for public space, the mobility transition and biodiversity requirements in the city be reconciled with the contradictions of the planning industry? How can all this be linked to the common thread of building culture? It's about the future of the city: in Europe, in the Rhine-Main region, in Frankfurt.

The seminar series is a continuing education event recognised by the AKH. Each seminar is awarded 2 continuing education credits. You will receive a certificate of participation after the event.

Architecture Dialogue | Winter semester 2025/2026:

Thursday, 30 October 2025 | 7 p.m. | Stress test – challenge and opportunity

Prof. Elisabeth Endres

Please note: The dialogue on 30 October will exceptionally take place at the German Architecture Museum DAM, Schaumainkai 43.

Thu, 13 November 2025 | 7 p.m. | Measuring displacement. Gentrification in Frankfurt am Main

Prof. Dr Sebastian Schipper

Thu, 20 November 2025 | 7 p.m. | In the name of sustainability? Or why we know the right thing to do, but do the wrong thing.

Prof. Dr. Tim Rieniets

Thu, 27 November 2025 | 7:00 p.m. | Empty city, empty law?

Dr. Felix Wiegand

Thu, 4 December 2025 | 7:00 p.m. | Democracy through urban and neighbourhood diversity?

Prof. emer. Dr. phil. Rainer Kilb

Thu, 11 December 2025 | 7:00 p.m. | Democracy builds cities. Construction transition between parliament, practice and design

Angelika Hinterbrandner

Thu, 18 December 2025 | 7:00 p.m. | Inaugural lecture ‘Theory and History in Architecture’

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Julia v. Mende

Team - Dialog Architektur

Lilly Baumeister

Lukas Henne

Louis Keller

Olivia Flaig

Heinrich Lessing

Ruth Schlögl