Saturday 24 May, Aarhus University and Aarhus School of Architechture (Studio DemokraCity) have organised a seminar on urban development, social capital and democracy, as part of the MatchPoints Seminar. Distinguished Visiting Professor Robert Putnam will be the keynote speaker.
How are connections formed between the city and the inhabitants of the city? What is social capital, and what does it mean for the individual and for society in general? What happens with a society if the social capital disappears?
From 9.00 to 11.00, Harvard-professor Robert Putnam, culture editor Rune Lykkeberg and Mayor Jacob Bundsgaard will discuss cohesion in the city, democracy in the city and development of the city.
The first part of the seminar will consist of presentations that introduce the theoretical background of the three subjects. In the second part of the seminar, the theories, ideas and visions are examined in order to answer specific questions on urban development.
In order to have a specific focus on Aarhus city, students of architechture in Aarhus have prepared 5 central questions on social capital, democracy and urban development for the three speakers. The students will condense the discussions, conclusions and thoughts into a report for Aarhus city to inspire reality.
Programme:
09.00 – 09.10 Rector Torben Nielsen, Arkitektskolen Aarhus opens the seminar
09.10 – 09.40 Social capital by Professor Robert Putnam, Harvard University, USA
09.40 – 10.00 Coffee
10.00 – 10.20 Democracy by author and culture editor Rune Lykkeberg, Politiken
10.20 – 10.40 Urban development in Aarhus by Mayor Jacob Bundsgaard, Municipality of Aarhus
10.40 – 11.45 Discussion – Questions from students of architechture
11.45 – 13.00 Lunch and networking
