IBA Basel

IBA Basel

Border Region
Germany, Switzerland, France, Grand Est Region, Canton of Basel-City, Canton of Basel-Country, State of Baden-Württemberg
Language(s)
Français
Allemand
Introduction

IBA Basel has established itself as an original tool for cross-border planning and has demonstrated the considerable versatility that this type of tool was meant to offer.

Summary

From the outset IBA Basel, the first cross-border IBA (International Architecture Exhibition) set the following goals for itself: to orient the growth and integration of the urban region from a cross-border and long-term perspective, to implement high-quality, significant cross-border projects, and provide concrete added value for the local authorities and sponsors of projects, to improve the effectiveness and visibility of cross-border commitments by using public relations and setting clear priorities, to improve the international renown and reach and the regional anchoring of the trinational urban region, to build an effective IBA organisation.

Content

The governance of IBA Basel guarantees the representativity of the three countries involved through the composition of the policy committee (4 members per country including the chairs and co-chairs). The role of this policy committee is to provide management and strategic guidance. A scientific committee is the driving force behind the innovation and creativity of the IBA and oversees the expected standards in terms of quality.  The technical committee acts as the interface between the IBA and the local authorities. They have a role advising on administrative, technical and organisational issues.

The action of IBA consists above all of supporting, promoting and showcasing the quality of the projects selected. The IBA does not have the funds to develop its own projects, but it is engaged in a whole series of actions designed to lead eventually to awarding of a "label" to selected projects. This award will be the conclusion of a long selection process. This selection process began with a public call for projects open to the different developers active in the trinational urban area. The projects are divided into three categories: "Landscape" when they contribute to the enhancement of open spaces in the urban area, "City" when they consist of densifying the urban spaces best served by urban transport, "Living together" when they contribute to the social mix and cohesion of the territories.

The IBA also develops actions oriented towards the promotion and showcasing of the pre-selected projects: organisation of "IBA Forums", the "university laboratories", trade fairs, exhibitions, films. The IBA also contributes to the production of knowledge about the territory.

Conclusions

While it purports to be a planning initiative, the approach chosen by IBA Basel to overcome the usual obstacles linked to the cross-border context is to focus on concrete projects rather than on the planning tools. The coherence of the dynamics at territorial level is guaranteed by the use of categories that stem from the urban developments expected in the urban area. Each project selected thus contributes in exemplary fashion to the meshing and enhancement of open spaces in relation to urbanised spaces, which participate thanks to their locations in the process of densification of the urban landscape in areas well served by transport links and, thanks to their functions, strengthen the offer of services and amenities and their accessibility.

The cross-border nature of the projects selected must, however, be guaranteed and be part of the quality criteria chosen for the awarding of the final label of approval. The IBA therefore offers the players who take part in this dynamic concentrated support on the administrative procedures and obstacles, the search for funding, the setting up of agreements and partnerships, etc.

Key Messages

In view of the cross-border context and the changes in the urban challenges faced, the IBA tool has had to adapt. It acts as a catalyst of quality projects at cross-border level in this territory and contributes to uniting the players involved in construction and spatial development around a new culture of construction.

The IBA contributes to the development and the structuring of territories through the selection criteria imposed on the projects chosen and by the emphasis placed on certain working themes prioritised in this territory: its heritage, sustainable development, the relationship to the Rhine, economic specialisations, mobility.

Lead

IBA Basel

Author of the entry
Contributions

Landkreis Lörrach, Stadt Lörrach, Stadt Rheinfelden (Baden), Stadt Weil am Rhein, Département du Haut-Rhin, Saint-Louis Agglomeration, Communauté de Communes Sundgau, Ville de Saint-Louis, Ville de Huningue, Ville de Mulhouse, Ville de Sierentz, Suisse, Kanton Aargau, Kanton Basel-Stadt, Gemeinde Aesch, Gemeinde Allschwil, Gemeinde Arlesheim, Gemeinde Dornach, Gemeinde Münchenstein, Gemeinde Muttenz, Gemeinde Pfeffingen, Gemeinde Reinach, Gemeinde Riehen, Stadt Liestal, Union Européenne (FEDER : Interreg V ), Land de Bade-Wurtemberg, Confédération suisse (NPR), Eurodistrict Trinational de Bâle (ETB)

Contact Person(s)
Date of creation
2020