The Stockholm Exhibition 2009-2013 presents a digital catalogue for building the future of urban development

Social Space Pavilion by Andreas Angelidakis Architecture

We are proud to introduce the first step of The Stockholm Exhibition 2009-2013. The project aims to continue the tradition from the Stockholm Exhibitions of 1897 and 1930, where full-scale exhibitions on urban future changed Sweden. An exhibition of this magnitude for the 21st century will – to achieve the same long-term result – have to be built on long-term, organic processes of 3-4 years, where the exhibition projects function as tools for producing and communicating knowledge of global concern on urban development. The results also need to show how ideas and visions are being transformed into solid results, developing the area around Järva in the North of Stockholm, an area with the highest rate of non-Swedish population and unemployment in Sweden. It is also the most prominent example of the modernistic social planning in Sweden. The starting point is a project initiated with the local population, the Järva Future Lab.

The Stockholm Exhibition 2009-2013 is now ready for a first presentation after commissioned concept studies. In 2008 the city of Stockholm commissioned a study on how a Stockholm Exhibition would be made for our time. Some of the best architects and curators have been commissioned concept studies – ready to take into action. All to search for innovative concepts connected to the transformation of Järva into a future model for urban development. It includes a Slide building by Foreing Office Architects/Carsten Höller, Things Which Necrose (a shrinking building) by François Roche/R&Sie(n), Energy Systems by Habiter Autrement – and several projects by exhibition architect Andreas Angelidakis, exhibitions Future Living and a coming Utopia Station exhibition. Project manager, Leif Saletti; Creative director, Jan Åman; Local process, Stavros Louca; strategy and management, Marie Eriksson & Jacob Fant. Website by Dabber.

In 1930 Stockholm Exhibition transformed Sweden. It attracted 4 million visitors by letting them step right into a full scale mock up version of the ready-to-build modern society. The impact was immense. The Stockholm Exhibition 1930 became the launch of The Swedish Model and the Swedish Welfare State. It was the starting point of the modern society and built Sweden’s brand – all to way to the present.

Now it is 2009 and we have entered a new world. A world that is global, digital and based on free-floating knowledge. It is a new world where the human race is rapidly moving to cities in such a scale that urban development simply will be the issue that decides our future.

The kind of exhibition that worked 80 years ago has to be adapted to our times. The challenges we face in Stockholm and globally are about linking together more than just the physical city: linking different structures and developing leadership and collaboration between politics, commerce, knowledge and citizens. The exhibition will be a full scale lab on global urban future, presenting concept ideas for housing, energy, climate, transport, social systems and much more. It will embrace digital behavior as a tool for real change in urban life.

The site, http://www.stockholmexhibition.com works as an engine and a platform for information and ideas, from now until 2013. Please e-mail us for more information, inputs ideas. Join our global team.

Contact: global@stockholmexhibition.com