„Out of the Planning Crisis“ – this was the sibylline working title of this issue of Werk,Bauen&Wohnen. This was intended to refer to two meanings: planning in a state of crisis, but also planning on the way out of the crisis. Whether, at the end of the day, the pessimistic or the optimistic interpretation will prevail remains open - we have discussed the subject with unprecedented intensity, and it seems that this is thoroughly in accordance with the current state of the discipline „planning“. Much that was taken for granted is now in change. Established institutions have been closed down and new ones have emerged - at academic institutions, but also in the form of „think tanks“. Planning is no longer the mere coordination and administration of the political and technical aspects over periods of time of abstract length - no: planning is seen in the comprehensive context of cultural practice. It is recognised as a field of political study that could contribute to the overcoming of the much-lamented apolitical attitude of our profession; planning will be (re)recognised in its creative relevance. The fact that planning can even develop sex appeal was first realised and demonstrated by the Dutch, first of all Rem Koolhaas with his studies of the Chinese Pearl River Delta and the Nigerian capital of Lagos, then MVRDV with their provocative conurbation scenarios as a response to the rampant Dutch „sprawl“.

So why are we talking of a crisis? Firstly, because it is precisely the new voices in the planning circles that have diagnosed the crisis (largely in order to emphasise the explosive force and originality of their own theses). Secondly, because the older actors have warned of the threatening loss of scientific coherence and methodical competence. However, perhaps everything is even more complicated; perhaps it is the very talk about the crisis that is itself the expression of blindness to the shortcomings of our profession. Would not a contribution which does not specifically talk of crisis but shed a different light on familiar facts with an unwavering ”cool demeanour” (Marcel Meili) be more innovative?

The problems of the planners are particularly evident in cases where their strategies, traditionally based on growth, have to deal with recessive developments. Against the background of the planning debate described above, it is evident that the challenge of such shrinking of populated areas should be the subject of this issue. Shrinking can progress at inconceivable rates, as the „shrinking cities“ in Eastern Germany have dramatically shown. On a more everyday scale, there are other examples that proceed gradually and inconspicuously. These are illustrated by examples from the Swiss alpine regions. Representative of the latter is the cover picture of a neglected alpine meadow in the Grisons, which, after the demise of extensive agriculture, was reclaimed by nature, showing the extent to which the rough mountain landscape is, or was, itself an artefact: rampant proliferation as an indicator of change, growth, and shrinkage. (The editors)

Schwund | Shrinkage | Réduction

Editorial

Thema

Alpine Brache
Gespräch mit Roger Diener und Marcel Meili

Peter Rieder,Benjamin Buser
Leben und Arbeiten im Alpenraum | Ökonomische Analysen und Perspektiven

Gion Caminada
Für eine starke Peripherie in der Schweiz | Neun Thesen zur Gestaltung der Kulturlandschaft

Schrumpfen,ein Normalfall | Ein Gespräch von Gert Kähler mit Philipp Oswalt über das Forschungsprokekt «Schrumpfende Städte/Shrinking cities »

Axel Dossmann,Anne König,Jan Wenzel
Plattenbau später | Eine ostdeutsche Grosswohnsiedlung in der Krise: Halle Silberhöhe

Forum

Kolumne: Wolfgang Ullrich
Wettbewerb: Hoher Kasten (Apenzell)und Peak Gornergrat (Zermatt)
Bauten: Jugendherbergen Zürich und Zermatt
Bauten: Pfadiheim Baregg,Baden
Bauten: Bider-Hangar,Belp
EFH: Haus Gartmann in Sargans,von Aschwanden Schürer Architekten
Planung: Innerstädtische Planung Dresden
Bücher: Klas Anshelm
Bücher: Phylogenesis: FOA ’s ARK
Ausstellung: Zwei deutsche Architekturen 1949 –1989
bauen + rechten
Architekturausstellungen
Veranstaltungen | Wettbewerbe
Neuerscheinungen
Produkte

werk-Material

Rolf Meier Martin Leder Architekten ETH HTL SWB,Baden:
Mädchenpfadiheim in Baden,AG
Bauart Architekten,Bern:Umbau und Erweiterung Jugendherberge Zermatt,VS