HFT meets IBA: An interview with Dr. Steffen Wurzbacher

Stuttgart "HFT meets IBA" is a series of events organized by the M4_LAB of the Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences (HFT) in cooperation with the Wirtschaftsförderung Region Stuttgart GmbH and IBA'27 GmbH. The aim is to discuss "future topics of the day after tomorrow". The co-organizer and managing director of the HFT research focus "Energy-efficient buildings and sustainable urban development", Dr. Steffen Wurzbacher, about the background.

Why is there the lecture series "HFT meets IBA"?

Wurzbacher: In 2027 we will have a big international building exhibition here in the Stuttgart region. In seven years' time, innovative and sustainable solutions are to be presented. This means that we have to think correspondingly far ahead when it comes to what will be innovative in 2027. Here it is not enough to simply implement new solutions that have currently found their way into building. Here we want to be a link between research, the IBA and planners, builders, local authorities and civil society.

How did you design the "HFT meets IBA" series?

Wurzbacher: The idea for the series was developed by my colleague Alexander Lee. On the one hand, the series will be performed by the HFT's own scientists and further external expertise will be invited. Our first topic is "Urban climate and green spaces", which are becoming increasingly important in the wake of climate change. The next topic is "Urban Acoustics". This is not only about sound insulation, but also about individual perception and health. Another future topic is "Smart Mobility in Smart Grids", which deals with the synergy potential between energy systems and mobility. The fourth theme is "participatory planning", in which new

planning cultures and the involvement of citizens in urban planning processes.

What role does research play here?

Wurzbacher: The very own task of research is to recognize and name the new and unknown and to develop solutions. A great many topics of sustainable urban development and solutions to social problems are very central issues that we and other research institutions deal with. It is important to us that we are able to contribute our scientific expertise to the process of shaping the cities of tomorrow, especially in the course of the IBA process.

Why the HFT?

Wurzbacher: What distinguishes us as an HFT is our approach to transdisciplinary and cooperative research for the Stuttgart Region. Thus, we bundle essential expertise on sustainable cities in our research focus "Energy-efficient buildings and sustainable urban development". We have already been able to gain initial experience here with the "EnSign RealLaboratory for a climate-neutral inner city campus". Here we have investigated the energy savings that can be achieved in HFT's buildings by using innovative solutions, among other things. At the moment we are working on the transfer project M4_LAB, a funding measure of the programme "Innovative University", as well as in the strategic partnership " i_city" to expand transfer services and networks between science and industry and to society.

What is the objective of the HFT's M4_LAB, from which the "HFT meets IBA" series is derived, for the Stuttgart Region?

Wurzbacher: The HFT Innovation Laboratory M4_LAB for Metropolitan Region 4.0 has set itself the goal of using HFT's research experience in urban development and urban modelling for the energy turnaround and thus making a socially relevant contribution. Together with our alliance partner, Wirtschaftsförderung Region Stuttgart GmbH (WRS), we are developing strategies for a climate-neutral region with future-proof mobility concepts and sustainable industrial production. Keywords here are urban energy systems, green logistics, digitization and three-dimensional modeling. Also within the framework of the strategic research partnership i_city, many research activities at the HFT are bundled in a lead project "Intelligent City" in order to develop solutions with the most important actors from society, economy, administration, planning and civil society. An important concern of the HFT is to actively promote the exchange and networking between research with communities, companies and civil society.

What can the HFT do for the IBA27?

Wurzbacher: As a University of Applied Sciences, we see ourselves as having a particular obligation to put research questions and results up for discussion within a process of sustainable building. Our many years of experience in the field of urban research, the specially developed simulation programs such as "SimStadt" (3-D simulation of urban energy systems) or "CityDoctor" (instrument for repairing virtual city models), enable us to offer methods and tools for urban planning, which in our view can make an important contribution to an innovative IBA process.

Susanne Rytina, Research and Science Communication, M4_LAB