FuKo 2025: Andreas Kipar on Placemaking and the Future of Urban Landscapes
At this year’s German Congress on Pedestrian Traffic in Mainz, Andreas Kipar took the stage as a keynote speaker to discuss how landscape design and placemaking can support slow mobility.
In a keynote entitled “Placemaking – Quo Vadis? Towards New Urban Landscapes” Andreas Kipar explored the transformation of public spaces, the revitalization of city centers, and the role of slow mobility in shaping more livable, resilient cities. His contribution to the closing panel of the two-day FuKo (Fußverkehrskongress) underscored the importance of reimagining urban spaces to prioritize pedestrian experiences and sustainable mobility
Moderated by Vivien Leue, the panel was joined by Stephan Willinger, Melanie Kupferschmid, and Matthias Riegel, experts in urban planning and slow mobility.
The discussion centered on how city centers can evolve beyond mere functionality to become vibrant, inclusive, and people-focused spaces. By integrating landscape as a key design element, walking is not just a mode of transport but an experience—one that strengthens social interaction, well-being, and urban livability. Participants explored how slow mobility can transform public spaces into dynamic, shared environments, while green and blue infrastructures do more than just beautify cities: they actively enhance climate resilience, regulate temperatures, and create healthier ecosystems for both people and nature.
Andreas Kipar at FuKo 2025 in a photo by Jannik Frank
With over 80% of Germans favoring walking as a mode of transport, and a national strategy in place to promote sustainable mobility, rethinking pedestrian infrastructure is more relevant than ever. The discussion highlighted how urban landscapes can evolve into interconnected, nature-positive environments, step by step—always keeping the big picture in mind.
More about the event can be found here: www.fuko2025.de
