The present: the future? The future: the present!

The existing building stock is one of the most important resources for the construction transition: it stores grey energy, preserves identity and offers potential for new uses. Industrial buildings exemplify the challenges and opportunities of continuing to build within the existing stock. They provide a particularly clear framework for discussing issues relating to valuation, preservation, transformation and use. Structural change in Central Germany, in particular, presents us with the task of rethinking these buildings:

How do we assess industrial buildings today – and what technical, legal and

societal frameworks are needed for a sustainable approach to the existing building stock? How can industrial buildings be sustainably developed and transformed for future uses? And what networks are required?

The REALLABOR ZEKIWA ZEITZ is seeking to answer these questions through a research project within the New European Bauhaus. One component of this is this symposium, which discusses the role of heritage conservation, building culture and planning in the context of the ‘Bauwende’ (construction transition). The focus is on two thematic blocks.

As part of these thematic areas, the ‘Leipzig Guidelines’ of the REALLABOR

ZEKIWA Zeitz (RZZ) are being developed. They form the basis for a catalogue of measures to be developed within the research project and are intended to provide impetus for the sustainable management of industrial buildings and the entire building stock – based on sound technical expertise, climate-effective and socially viable.

The event is registered under reference number AFB-2026-207, counts towards 3 UE and remains free of charge for attendees as a continuing professional development course. Those interested can register with us on the day of the event. Advance registration is not required, but you are welcome to register in advance, without obligation, at denkmal.rzz@hs-anhalt.de.

Programme

Opening – 2.00 pm(denkmal-CAMPUS (Bühne), Hall 2, L01)

• Introduction of the participants and the Zekiwa Zeitz real-world laboratory

• Current developments in the construction transition, challenges and ideas

• Transition to the thematic blocks, presentation of the key questions

Thematic blocks – 2.45 pm(denkmal-CAMPUS (Lab), Hall 2, L07)

A: Existing Stock, Values & Framework Conditions

• Keynote presentation on the key question: How do we evaluate historic industrial buildings today? What technical, legal and social framework conditions are needed for a sustainable approach to the existing building stock?

• Moderated panel discussion: During the moderated discussion, experts will discuss proposals for guidelines.

• Summarising the discussion with the other participants

• Finalising the guidelines for Block A

Coffee break 3.45 pm

B: Use, transformation and networking

• Keynote presentation on the key questions: How can industrial buildings be developed to a high standard and transformed for future uses? How is the ‘construction transition’ becoming visible? How can networking be achieved?

• Moderated panel discussion: During the moderated discussion, the experts will discuss proposals for guidelines.

• Summarising the discussion with the other participants

• Finalising the guidelines for Block B

Conclusion and closing remarks 5.00 pm