40 x Practical - for doers behind public-interest urban development projects

40 x Practical - for doers behind public-interest urban development projects

In March 2018, the Institute for Process Architecture at Alanus University participated as a partner in a very special event: 40xP. “40 X P” stands for “Forty times practical”: the new conference format premiered at the Rohrmeisterei in Schwerte. In around forty workshops featuring input and information — five running in parallel in the morning and afternoon, and four in succession — the initiators of public-interest urban development projects were able to gain tools and practical know-how on legal and tax issues, building and operating, and more.
It was an offering that met with tremendous enthusiasm: more than 160 participants from all over Germany attended — from city administrations and planning offices, cooperatives and foundations, but above all from projects in towns and villages where people come together to develop “Immovielien” — properties by many for many — collaboratively and for the common good. Whether the topic was procurement law or self-build construction, neighborhood development and participation, public relations or gastronomy, presentations were always given in concise, punchy short talks with opportunities for questions, delivered by successful project practitioners — in keeping with the conference motto “Using Project Knowledge.” The IPA at Alanus University was represented in the program by Prof. Dr. Florian Kluge with four workshops of its own and was also involved in moderating the event.
The Rohrmeisterei in Schwerte — itself an Immovielie — provided the perfect setting for the event. Authentic Immovielien ambience everywhere, beautiful rooms of all sizes, high-quality catering, and plenty of space for exchange and conversation.
Participants, including some from Bonn, Bremen and Berlin, as well as Potsdam and Weimar, had agreed to take a risk — each workshop allowed only 10 minutes of input and 15 minutes of discussion; after that, speakers and participants alike had just 5 minutes to move quickly to the next workshop. The fast pace and brisk tempo not only created energy and good humor, but also generated an enormous density of information, exchange, and discussion. It was only in the evening, during the convivial get-together, that things gradually slowed down, and over food and drink there was plenty of time for networking and exchanging ideas.
Following the extraordinary response and consistently positive feedback, all four partners agreed: 40 x Practical will continue in the near future!

Project lead
Prof. Dr. Florian Kluge (lead), Miriam Hamel
Cooperation partners
Rohrmeisterei Schwerte, Tobias Bäcker
startklar.projektkommunikation, Kerstin Asher
Montag Stiftung Urbane Räume, Kristin Gehm, Jörn Luft, Miriam Pflüger

Project duration
2017/18, event held on 07.03.2018