HiGHLIGHTS from Davos - Memo#1

"From 14 – 16 January, the second Conference of European Ministers of Culture took place in Davos, Switzerland under the title “Common Good – Shared Responsibility”. Alongside high representatives of European governments, civil society & business sector representatives, I had the honour to represent ACE and to sign the Founding Act of the Davos Alliance.

ACE has also been elected as one of 9 members of the Steering Committee for this Alliance for 5 years. This multi-stakeholder global alliance is dedicated to advancing quality design and construction of more sustainable and vibrant communities. 

How to define quality?
We should not associate quality with price. It is a question of reflection, social inclusion, dignity, aesthetics and how we want to live together in the Future! Finally, this must be understood! And I am confident that the Davos Building Culture Alliance is a great step in the right direction. 

Building momentum for High-Quality Baukultur
The biggest transformation process in Europe has begun.  And we are part of it. There is now a strong impulse for collaboration and shared responsibility among all the actors of the ecosystem in order to accelerate the green transition. ACE aims to turn the technocratic approach, which has been historically the leading parameter, at European level, in public procurement, energy- and environmental policies, into a cultural and cross connecting project. Making the Green Deal and the Renovation Wave a Cultural Project! 

My special highlights from Davos 
In Davos, the Russian invasion of Ukraine was top of the agenda. Since the beginning of the conflict ACE showed its support to its Ukrainian colleagues by creating a specific Ukraine task force and integrating the Ukrainian Architects Association as an Observer Member. Our support continued in Davos by signing a joint statement – Ukraine in Davos. We firmly believe that support for each other among architects in Europe is fundamental.

Inspiration talks
I want to draw your attention to one of the Keynote speakers and the study he has been working on: Gabriel Ahlfeldt’s first systematic and quantitative review shows that high-quality Baukultur not only generates social but also economic returns and suggests that a collaborative approach may increase both considerably. Gabriel Ahlfeldt’s Study: “Quality sells”.

Tomorrow’s Baukultur is being created today!
We will follow up on these new opportunities, shaping impactful synergies and continue our work to raise the awareness of high-quality architecture. 

With my very best wishes,

Ruth Schagemann
ACE President