The New European Bauhaus – shaping a greener and fairer way of life in creative and inclusive societies through Architecture, Design and Arts

The New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative was launched in the autumn 2020 by European Commission President von der Leyen to bring the European Green Deal to life in an attractive, innovative and human-centred way. It is a new cultural project for Europe to lead a whole systemic change with its own aesthetics, sustainability and inclusiveness. This is why it will become a co-creation space where architects, artists, students, engineers, designers, cultural and heritage professionals, and other population groups of society, such as for example persons with disabilities, children, young and older persons, will work together to translate the Green Deal objectives into tangible applications, inclusive and accessible experiences for citizens and stakeholders.

This should be achieved by combining the three dimensions of sustainability, quality (of life, of human experiences, of architecture[[Quality architecture as defined in the follow-up process to the Davos Declaration “Towards a High-quality Baukultur for Europe” adopted by European Ministers of Culture and stakeholders in January 2018. ]]) and social inclusion. The NEB is essentially a project that aims to be a bridge between the world of science and technology and the world of art and culture, where citizens shall need to take ownership of the Green Deal. Its potential will depend on its capacity to leverage the power of creativity and innovation by architects, designers and artists in contemporary societies to shape a better way of living in line with the principles of environmental, social, cultural and economic sustainability, paving the way to inclusion, participation and to the creation of more resilient communities.

Multidisciplinary research and innovation involving relevant professionals, as well as citizen and stakeholder engagement, are key factors for the success of the New European Bauhaus initiative, and should characterise proposals under this topic. The NEB is an initiative focused on achieving societal impact, therefore proposals should critically reflect on and elaborate practical solutions to apply its principles to the built environment, public spaces, such as green spaces and living environments that provide space and opportunities for recovery and social contacts, and cultural-artistic practices, across the many different socio-economic and cultural settings in Europe. The role of quality architecture, as exemplified by the Architecture Guide to SDGs[[the Architecture Guide to SDGs: https://issuu.com/kadk/docs/aechitecture_guide_un17_vol.2_web_single_pages]], should be considered by focusing on inclusive architecture and design, as a means to embrace human diversity and ensure accessibility and safety for all.

NEB solutions should help to increase recognition and visibility of European artists and creators underpinning emerging talent from Creative Europe platforms.

Proposals should show how they will contribute to developing new applications and new knowledge about the design of a public and private sustainable, inclusive, functional, accessible, aesthetically attractive and resilient built environment. The interconnection between virtual and physical spaces should be taken into consideration, including with a view to the emerging concept of “hybrid environment”.

Research could for example deal with heritage sites and cultural landscapes, aiming to protect and enhance their values in order to improve the well-being and sense of belonging of users/residents, the accessibility for persons with specific fragilities as well as experimenting CCIs-driven innovation in living spaces.

The proposed solutions should be socially, culturally, economically and politically feasible across Europe. Their feasibility should be verified in these terms in at least three different settings and in at least three different Member States/Associated Countries. Practical policy recommendations and guidance based on the findings should be produced for European, national, regional and local authorities.

A balanced overall coverage of EU Member States/Associated Countries should be sought. Citizens and stakeholders should be involved from an early stage. Links should be envisaged with relevant European programmes and initiatives, in particular Horizon Europe, the New European Bauhaus, the European Green Deal and the UNESCO Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape [[https://whc.unesco.org/uploads/activities/documents/activity-638-98.pdf]].