Five questions for Rolf von der Horst

In the long history, do you have three favourite projects that have been realised in the municipal space and presented in the professional journal Stadt und Raum! Which ones have stuck in your memory and why?

In the trade journal STADT und RAUM, we set the bar quite high when publishing projects and thematic contributions. The positive feedback on the contributions was actually not a special merit of the editors but of many planners who designed public spaces with commitment and great know-how. For me, the variety of topics was always more important than a single contribution.

Conversely, I could also say that many contributions were "special", especially since each project was ultimately created under special conditions. This applies to aspects such as the budget, the interaction of actors, the target group orientation or specific thematic and design tasks "on site". This diversity was far removed from recipe-like descriptions.

It is usually positive for the quality of play spaces when actors work together in an interdisciplinary way. My favourite projects are much more numerous than I could reduce them to "gold, silver or bronze": I have fond memories of many of the projects that were awarded the German SPIELRAUM Prize.

Do you have a favourite playground equipment?

No! Or maybe you do?

But for one thing, I don't like to compare apples with oranges. What I mean by that is that I find a consideration within a (equipment) category more "exciting". So what distinguishes this swing from that one, this playhouse from another? Here I come to the individual play functions and their diversity as a criterion for comparison - whether and to what extent children can vary and choose how they play with an object; to what extent and within what framework it allows them creative, their own appropriations that may not even have been planned when it was made.

Personally, I very much appreciate the term "play value" in this context, even if it has probably gone out of fashion in recent years. And the safety of the equipment? The quality of the materials? The robustness or sustainability in production? No problem! These basic requirements should be self-evident.

The print edition of Stadt und Raum has been published for the last time. What does the future hold for you? What will happen with the German SPIELRAUM Prize?

The cooperation with the International Trade Fair for Amenity Areas, Sports Facilities and Exercise Equipment (FSB from 24 to 27 October in Cologne) will be continued in 2023.

The focus will be on the involvement of planners in a joint area and a lecture programme in the planerFORUM; then on the design or coordination of special shows. We will be supported by bdla NRW for a special programme strand for planners.

The German SPIELRAUM Award has existed for over 20 years. Unfortunately, we will suspend it this year and "reposition" ourselves over the next 12 months: this applies to new partnerships, sponsors and the media orientation. For me, it is important that the expertise and independence of the jury always come first.

What does the future of urban design look like, which topics do you think will play a role?

Urban design topics are derived from worldwide megatrends that have been going on for years, such as globalisation, digitalisation, demographic change or, for example, health and nutrition. This is not new at all, but it will occupy us for many years to come. Whereby "perennial topics" are not attractive for many media: They look for the cool headline - preferably: "World novelty!" - rather than the more complex permanent topic.

Topics for urban design? An infinite number that are only seemingly contradictory: So Smart City as well as Green City or Design for All versus specialised movement offers in urban space. Mixes, networks and multifunctionality are in demand. The issue of climate change is a top priority.

Future trade fair: What aspects and themes will be covered at FSB in the coming years?

One of FSB's tasks will be to increasingly present best-of-practice examples. It is good if the balancing act between "timeless" topics and current expectations of trade visitors and exhibitors can be achieved.

Urban and open space design is a process that requires special moderation. New forms of dialogue between these "players" will further sharpen the trade fair profile. I suspect that the form and quality of this dialogue are often more important than the topic itself.

Thank you very much for this interview.