Ways of Thinking

Climate change presents us with new challenges. In Dortmund, too, the need for action is becoming increasingly clear, especially in densely built-up, sealed inner city areas. During the thought process, we took a walk together through the Nordstadt, especially through backyards, and looked at examples of heat hotspots and heat oases on site. We discussed questions such as: What measures for the design of Dortmund's Nordstadt contribute to heat protection? What helps me personally on hot days? How can I expand my own options for action? The fourth train of thought was led by Stephanie Bund (sfs).

On the day of remembrance of the resistance against National Socialism, a city tour took place with students from TU Dortmund University under the direction of Barbara Welzel, Professor of Art History and Cultural Education, and project assistant Fiona Newzella.

The route led from the memorial for the victims of right-wing extremist violence at the Steinwache memorial along the "Stolpersteine", which commemorate people from Dortmund who were deported during National Socialism. During the tour through Dortmund's Nordstadt district, questions were asked such as: Does freedom need remembrance? What memories? To whom? And why? The aim is also to discuss how memorials are designed in public spaces. Do they need an artistic form? And further: On whose initiative are they erected?

This line of thought offered interested parties the opportunity to enter into conversation with each other and to share experiences and opinions on the topic of "memories" and to think about them in the context of the importance of freedom and democratic values.

On June 19, 2024, the second thought process on the topic "Freedom through mobility? - On the trail of the future" by Prof. Dr. Torsten Bertram and Prof. Dr. Cornelius Schubert took place. The walkshop started at the Dietrich-Keuning-Haus and invited participants to share personal experiences with different forms of mobility and to explore future technologies in this area. A highlight of the event was the demonstration of the DEmandäR mobility measurement vehicle, which was presented at the Dietrich Keuning House. In the discussion, we also addressed the connection between technical and social mobility and its significance for individual freedom.

The participants were actively involved through interactive elements. A dot-voting survey showed that many participants regularly use public transport (Deutsche Bahn and VRR) as well as their own car and bicycle. There is a particularly strong desire for improvements to public transport. Interestingly, most participants would prefer to travel by bike, but see room for improvement in Dortmund's urban transport system. The diverse usage patterns and the different preferences of road users in Nordstadt were reflected not only in the dot voting, but also in the group discussion.

On May 23, 2024, we celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Basic Law and took a walk through the Nordstadt district on our first walk for freedom. Led by Prof. Dr. Thomas Goll and Hannah Rosenbaum, District Mayor of Nordstadt, we explored the topic of political participation. The aim of this event was to celebrate our Basic Law, and to mark the occasion, Basic Laws in various languages were distributed - 82 copies in total.

The two-hour walk of thought started at 3 pm at Nordmarkt and led via Mehmet Kubasik-Platz and Keuning-Park to Münsterstraße. During the walk, people took part in different ways: some walked the entire route, while we got into conversation with others at the intermediate stops. The basic laws distributed served as a good starting point for the discussions.

Researchers involved: Prof. Dr. Torsten Bertram, Stefanie Bund, Prof. Dr. Thomas Goll, Prof. Dr. Cornelius Schubert, Prof. Dr. Barbara Welzel

Civil society partners: Project "nordwärts", Masterplan Wissenschaft, District Mayor of Nordstadt, Hannah Rosenbaum, Auslandsgesellschaft e.V., Quartiersmanagement Nordstadt

Project management: Annika Schmidtpeter, Ref. research demand; Prof. Dr. Nele McElvany, Vice-President Research

The theme of the Year of Science 2024 is freedom. Because it is of fundamental value and is under threat today in ways that have long been unimaginable. Two upcoming anniversaries underline its importance for Germany: 75 years of the Basic Law and 35 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The Science Year 2024 is therefore focusing on various dimensions of freedom. What exactly is freedom? Are freedom and democracy connected? Where does freedom begin? With a wide range of opportunities to get involved, the Year of Science provides a framework for intergenerational discussions about freedom, its value and its meaning - with each other and with science. About freedom today, tomorrow and worldwide.

The Year of Science is an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) together with Wissenschaft im Dialog (WiD).