Bold City, Brave Decisions

How are livable cities created? The MIK and the Osnabrück Association for Building Culture cordially invite you to the opening of the traveling exhibition, which will be on view at the MIK’s Haseschacht building alongside the “Building the Future” exhibition.

Using the Dutch city of Groningen as an example, it demonstrates how bold urban planning can make a difference. A separate section of the exhibition focuses on urban development in Osnabrück.
Matthias Rottmann (partner and urban planner at De Zwarte Hond) will be a guest speaker at the opening, delivering a keynote address. The firm, with offices in Groningen, Rotterdam, Cologne, and Berlin, conceived the exhibition and played a key role in shaping Groningen’s urban development. The talk examines how cities must make clear and sometimes uncomfortable decisions—despite uncertainty or resistance—to remain livable in the long term. It highlights how setting a clear direction, staying the course over an extended period, and making necessary adjustments are essential for urban transformation.

Opening: June 5, 2026, 6:00 p.m.