BTU professor Silke Weidner: Key role in the IBA curatorium!

BTU professor Silke Weidner: Key role in the IBA curatorium!

The Brandenburg Technical University of Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) has appointed Prof. Silke Weidner a key person to the newly founded Board of Trustees of the International Building Exhibition (IBA). This board of trustees will take on a scientific-specialist accompanying function and plays a central role in the IBA process, especially in the Munich Metropolitan Region. Weidner, who heads the Institute for Urban Planning at the BTU, brings its expertise in the integrated urban development planning and the topics of mobility and spatial development. The IBA sees mobility as a central future topic, which must be in harmony with urban and rural structures, such as b-tu.de reported.

The newly appointed board of trustees is consisting of experts from different disciplines such as urban planning, architecture and mobility research, as well as representatives from science, practice and business. This interdisciplinary composition enables the Board of Trustees to take a holistic view of the challenges in the IBA Metropolitan Region Munich and to develop innovative solutions. One of the main tasks will be the co-decision on the quality criteria for the allocation of the IBA label and the accreditation of the IBA projects.

urban development planning and digitization

Integrated urban development planning has developed significantly in recent years. According to the German City Day , a participatory and self-determined planning is required, which transfers the municipalities more responsibility. The modern approach emphasizes the need to recognize opportunities and risks of digitization in both private and public areas of life and thus to promote sustainable urban development.

The position paper from 2011 describes how concepts such as "Smart City" and "Future City" must be taken into account in urban planning through the integration of new technologies. The challenges of digitization and their importance for cities are undisputed. This is done as part of a dialogue, which is accompanied by the "National Dialogue platform Smart Cities", organized by the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB).

Smart Cities in Germany

Progressive digitization offers numerous opportunities for cities, but they must also be designed sustainably and in common good. The BMWSB actively supports the development of "Smart Cities Made in Germany" and promotes model projects with a total volume of around 820 million euros. These are intended to strengthen the ability of the municipalities and test innovative smart city concepts by 2030, according to the information from bmwsb.bund.de .

Part of these initiatives is the provision of peer learning offers and specialist workshops for small and medium-sized municipalities that are to be supported in their digital transformation. The aim is to promote the integration of digital solutions at the local level and enable an exchange of best practice. The “Smart City Charter” focuses on the active design of digitization to ensure sustainable urban development.

Overall, the role of cities and municipalities in the digital transformation is crucial for the future of its citizens. By participating in programs and initiatives such as IBA and general urban development planning, the cities can ensure that they successfully meet the challenges of the modern world and make their development sustainable.