New European Bauhaus Approach
Agnese Landolfo, Sapienza University of Rome
Definition
The New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative aims to promote the green transition of our societies and economy. It encourages a collective effort among many actors to envision and create a sustainable and inclusive future that is visually appealing and enriching for both our minds and spirits.
The NEB approach is an initiative that aims to integrate sustainability, inclusivity, and aesthetics into the design of spaces, products, and services. It draws inspiration from the original Bauhaus movement, which emphasised the integration of art, design, and technology. By reimagining how we design and inhabit the built environment, the NEB aims to foster a collective transformation of spaces and communities that is both environmentally responsible and socially inclusive. The aesthetic-sustainability-inclusion triad forms the foundation of these processes.
The New European Bauhaus emphasises creating beautiful, functional, and sustainable environments. It fosters innovation and collaboration to address challenges like climate change, resource efficiency, and social equity. It aims to bridge the gap between science, technology, and culture, shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future for Europe.
The NEB approach is based on the belief that achieving the goals of the European Green Deal and moving towards a more sustainable society requires immediate and multi-level change. The strategy is to engage various actors, including civil society and diverse individuals, and establish an impact network on multiple scales, ranging from global to local.
Background information and contemporary debate
The New European Bauhaus (NEB) was launched in 2020 by the President of the European Commission, von der Leyen, as part of the existing European Green Deal, a set of political initiatives proposed by the European Commission to achieve climate neutrality in Europe by 2050.
Drawing on the inspiring values of the Staatliches Bauhaus, the school of art, design and architecture that operated in Germany between 1919 and 1933, the NEB relaunches a culture-driven and multidisciplinary approach to respond to the challenges and demands of contemporary society.
In a time of growing environmental challenges and social inequalities, the NEB aims to bring together creative thinkers, designers, architects, artists, and citizens to rethink how we can live more sustainably while ensuring that beauty and culture are not sacrificed.
While the NEB has been widely hailed as an ambitious and visionary project, there is ongoing debate about its effectiveness and potential. Some have questioned whether the emphasis on aesthetics and beauty could overshadow the more urgent concerns of environmental sustainability and social justice. There is also the challenge of ensuring that the New European Bauhaus remains inclusive and does not become a top-down initiative that alienates specific communities or reinforces existing power dynamics.
On the other hand, supporters argue that the NEB is necessary to bridge the gap between technological innovation, sustainability, and cultural identity, fostering a deeper connection between people and their environment. They contend that the initiative’s emphasis on collaboration between disciplines and stakeholders offers a unique opportunity to rethink the way we approach urban design and environmental challenges.
References
European Commission (2021). Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, New European Bauhaus, Beautiful, Sustainable, Together, COM(2021) 573 final, Brussels.
European Commission (2021). New European Bauhaus. https://europa.eu/new-european-bauhaus
European Commission (2022). New European Bauhaus Compass. A guiding framework for decision and project makers wishing to apply the NEB principles and criteria to their activities. EC, 21 November 2022.
European Commission (2024). NEB toolbox. EC, 8 January 2024.
Schellnhuber, H.J., Widera, B., Kutnar, A., Organschi, A., Hafner, A., Hillebrandt, A., Murphy, O., & Nakicenovic, N. (2022). Horizon Europe-New European Bauhaus Nexus Report: Conclusions of the High-Level Workshop on ‘Research and Innovation for the New European Bauhaus’, jointly organised by DG Research and Innovation and the Joint Research Centre. European Commission, Brussels.