Urban planners in Detroit have been looking to Berlin for revitalization strategies based on artistic and entrepreneurial efforts. One such group is the Detroit-Berlin Connection, which has focused on the shared legacies of techno music between the two cities.
The group will host its second annual Detroit conference on May 20 at MOCAD. According to a release, "This free event is designed to challenge traditional views and boundaries in reaching new horizons and possibilities in Detroit, while involving community organizers and stakeholders, entrepreneurs, artists, and individuals from various backgrounds."
The program will include presentations by organizations involved in art, music, design, and other entrepreneurial efforts in both cities:
- Faculty from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture, which has assembled a summer studio to work on visioning plans for the Fisher Body 21 building.
- Robert Elmes, founder/director of Galapagos Art Space Detroit, which is moving from Brooklyn to Detroit and Highland Park.
- Philip Kafka of Prince Media Co, a New York City boutique advertising firm behind the recent Move to Detroit billboard campaign
- Burkhard Kieker, chief executive officer of Visit Berlin.
- Lutz Leichsenring of the Club Commission Berlin.
- Developer and Packard Plant owner Fernando Palazuelo.
- DBC founder Dimitri Hegemann, of Tresor Berlin and Kraftwerk Berlin.
Doors are at 3:30 p.m., the conference is from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. MOCAD is located at 4454 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-832-6622; mocadetroit.org. Seating is limited — there's currently a general admission waitlist, click here to be added to it.
Read a recap of last year's DBC panel over at Model D.
