Blog Scriptum Multiplicities

In these extraordinary times since February 2020, the idea of coworking and cocreation are key topics as societies seek new formula for making a good living. We believe that reaching out to local initiatives, regional policy makers and international academics engaged in city innovation measures is important at this time. We are aiming at becoming more sensitive how to collaboratively create the next urban. We foresee three stages of dealing with this crisis:


Phase one will be the co-development of urgent medical and practical equipment to help save lives. We also address relevant social, digital and urban infrastructures that help in these times. Phase two will be the development of secondary equipment, material infrastructures and small-scale interventions to cope with physical distance over longer periods. Phase three will be the co-development of tools, infrastructures and services to restart the urban economy and develop a resilient collaborative ecosystem after the global shock of the pandemic.


The following key themes connect those engaged with Co-Governance, Co-Creation, and understanding the role of collaborative niches for urban development. Blog editors are Dr. Steve Harding (Birmingham), Susy Silva (Lisbon) and Dr. Bastian Lange (Berlin/Leipzig).

Photo: Mai Anh Ha

Of reclaiming freedom of mobility and speech as egocentric action.

Berlin and the first of May have a special history and relation. The Covid-19 pandemic induced restriction of public speech, demonstrations and individual rights – which challenged this relation a lot. Since imposed state sanctions of demonstration bans have started to be loosened since 11 of May 2020, a paradoxical situation occurred, as Mai Anh Ha reports.

Author: Mai Anh Ha, Researcher at Multiplicities-Berlin

Photo: Demet Mutman

Solidaric spaces and small scale reactions in Istanbul

Since the war on Ukraine has started in February 2022, many Ukrainians and Russians left their countries in direction to Turkey. We reach out to Prof. Demet Mutman, urban designer from Özyeğin University in Istanbul, to talk with about solidaric spaces and how she perceives the current situation of Ukrainians and Russians in Turkey and in Istanbul.

Author: Dr. Demet Mutman, Özyeğin University Istanbul

Photo: Bastian Lange

From Exit to Access – collaborative on-ramping for newcomers, temporary guests, and re-starters

When Ukrainians and residents from Ukraine arrive in safe countries, shelter, food, and security are first and key. As editors of the Multiplicities blog, Susy Silva (Lisbon), Dr. Steve Harding (Birmingham, UK) and Dr. Bastian Lange (Berlin/Leipzig) formulate the following phases when people seek new orientation for making their living outside the war territory.

Author: Dr. Bastian Lange, Urban and Economic Geographer, University of Leipzig.

Photo: Adobe Stock

Collaborative work to create ideas and networks for the post-covid-19 recovery of European inner-cities

Can we re-build and reinvent our inner cities post-covid-19? What type of mixed use, common or open spaces are needed to make our cities attractive? What spaces are needed to support innovation and creativity? At the Villa Vigoni experts and practitioners came together to discuss what type of social, technical, cultural and physical infrastructures inner cities need to regain relevance.

Author: Dr. Bastian Lange, Urban and Economic Geographer, University of Leipzig.

Photo: Adobe Stock

Open Call for Collaboration: Post-Pandemic recovery and the role of Makerspaces as catalyst for a better urban transition management

Multiplicities and its supporters encourage public administration, urban and regional stakeholders, knowledge partners and creative initiatives to join an open call to partner for regional, national, and European projects to master the post pandemic recovery phase.

Author: Dr. Bastian Lange, Urban and Economic Geographer, University of Leipzig.

Photo: Geoff Henderson

Embarking into a more resilient urban future

Which new factors will urban policies need to focus on post pandemic to encourage economic development, green growth and social cohesion? We can see the early signs of what the new urban spaces may be. It is a common problem and will require specific responses however, there are other factors particularly from a planning perspective. 

Author: Dr. Steve Harding, Birmingham City University (BCU)