Call for the
8th nationwide
Right to the City-forum
from June 10th to 12th, 2022 in Jena,
Cultural center “Kassablanca” (Felsenkellerstraße 13a)
Unquestionably, the impending climate catastrophe, growing right-wing mobilization and years of a global pandemic makes the prospect of achieving a good life for all seem distant. We, the Right to the City-movement, must therefore hold on to this vision even more. Our demands for everyone’s right to the city must not be dismantled in 2022 – quite the contrary!
Grow louder instead of moping!
In the past ten years, we have built up a strong Germany-wide social movement which targets urban and housing policy through numerous local initiatives and various exchange formats such as the annual Mietenwahnsinn (rental madness) demonstrations and the Right to the City-forum. Together we have fought against displacement and homelessness; campaigned for the preservation of socio-cultural places; and developed concrete ideas and projects for inclusive urban policy. In some cities we have – at least partially – succeeded in standing up against neoliberal city-making practices. But there is still much more to be done. This is why we ask:
How can we become louder and see more progress in the issues we are fighting for? How can the voices of urban solidarity increase, especially now, in times of worsening crises? How can we find more traction to our demands for co-determination and participation in the urban landscape, and ensure that these are actually implemented? What can we learn from our success stories, such as the numerous local anti-eviction struggles and the Berlin referendum for the socialisation of large real estate companies?
Save the date and call for inputs
To search for answers collectively, raise more questions, exchange ideas and network, we invite you to the 8th Right to the City-forum in the cultural centre of “Kassablanca” in Jena 10-12th of June 2022. On top of the Enteignungskonferenz (expropriation conference) in Berlin this year, the weekend in Jena will be another event with trans-urban participation from which we can draw strength and inspiration as urban and housing policy activists. So save the date!
And we need your help to put together a diverse programme again this year. If you have ideas for workshops; discussions; exchange events; skill-sharing exercises or other suggestions – please write to by 31st of March 2022. We would like to facilitate contributions in both German and English, meaning that forum additions could take place in German or English. You can find all the latest information on registration, accommodation and the programme on our website in the coming months.
An exchange platform for the movement
Since 2015, the Right to the City-forum has brought together housing and urban policy activists from all over Germany – and sometimes beyond – in different cities every year. Invited are small tenant- and neighbourhood initiatives as well as large housing policy campaigns; house projects and squatters; representatives from social and youth culture; feminists; anti-racists; activists for climate justice and decolonisation; and all those who fight for solidarity in their urbanity and search for alternatives to the capitalist city. Perspectives on rural areas should not be overlooked, especially in less urbanised areas like Thuringia, where the forum is held this year. Just like the slogan “Right to the City” connects social movements all over the world, the forum is also meant to be a place to connect different urban, political and social struggles.
Jena is calling…
The spacious cultural centre “Kassablanca” with more than 30 years of countercultural history is a wonderful space, perfectly suited for this gathering. And the city of Jena? With a liberal mayor at the head of the city council, this city on the river Saale is a prime example of ‘entrepreneurial urban development’: the red carpet is rolled out for investors, while low-income earners and socio-cultural spaces are squeezed out. All the more reason for the Right to the City-movement to visit the city of Jena from 10-12th of June! And we, the local preparation team, will of course roll out the red carpet for you…
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