PATTERNS OF DECLINE

Work Series / 2004   2010 Series / 2004 - 2010  
Patterns of decline, erosion of the suburbs and former prosperity (Project draft, working title)
 
The European city hierarchy, artificially divided into an alphabetical ranking, reveals an interesting form of interpretation of meaning, which is mainly oriented towards economic circumstances. The cities of category A, shining metropolises like Paris, Berlin Rome and Milan, inevitably attract attention and are the pulsating urban centers of the continent.

The B-cities,  including Lyon, Turin etc. and to name just a few retain a strong attraction despite their smaller size and are still highly frequented hubs of higher education, culture, tourism and economy.

But beyond these well-known urban centers lies another world, that of the C- and D-cities, which are often overlooked and forgotten. Exceptions are cities like  Avignion, Salzburg, Split, etc. which are still magnets for tourism. Other cities, less known and often in the shadow of their more glamorous counterparts, lead a quiet existence, marked by decline and oblivion. They are in decline, mostly because of economic reasons,  wrong or lack of decisions or competition to others.

Similar ethnographical and socio-economic observations can 
be made on the peripheries of large and significant cities where 
a considerable amount of ghettoization occurs and many individuals have been left behind from the dream of success. The problem is further exacerbated by migration, a lack or misunderstanding of integration into language and culture, as well as a lack of prospects.

                                                 
This is where my research begins. I dedicate myself to cities like Metz, Mulhouse and Brescia  to name just a few and to the periphery of the well known european cities like Milan or Lyon. What characterizes these cities, both in their provincial and urban identity? How do they manifest themselves socio-economically and architecturally? How are they perceived by their inhabitants and how do they appear to the outside observer if it’s outside the touristic city centers? Where lies the differences between all of this places if there is any?

My photographic journey through these less traveled paths of urbanity aims to explore the unknown, illuminate the overlooked and trying to find visual patterns and maybe some answers. It is an invitation for me to delve deeper into the city fabric and discover the hidden facets of urbanity. At best it is a tribute to the diversity and complexity of urban life and an exploration of the human experience in all its facets.



B-locations are large cities with a population ranging from 250,000 to 650,000, which hold national and regional significance. Examples of such cities in Germany include Augsburg, Freiburg, Kiel, Bremen, and Bonn.

On the other hand, C-locations are sites of regional importance with limited national significance, yet 
they exert a significant influence on their surroundings. Cities such as Aachen, Erfurt, Brügge, Mainz, and Bergamo serve as examples.  «C-cities» have a population of up to 250,000 inhabitants. However, it’s important to note that the specific criteria for categorizing cities can vary from country to country. In some countries, a city with 250,000 inhabitants might be considered a “medium-sized city”, while in others it 
might be classified as a “large city”. It depends on population density, urban infrastructure, and other factors.


The follwing images are a selection of one specific city: Mulhouse. On the bottom you find some screenshots and extracts of my Research Canvas Board                                                       








Mulhouse, a city near the Swiss and German borders, was once a significant center of the textile industry. The city has a long history of industrial activity and contributed significantly to the economic development of the region.  Mulhouse is considered a pioneer of the industrial revolution in France.

The heyday of Mulhouse can be traced back to the 19th century when the city was known as “the French Manchester”. During this time, the Jewish population grew from 165 in 1808 to 2132 in 1890. The city played a crucial role in the industrial revolution in France and was a center for innovation and progress.

However, factory closures and industrial decline led to economic difficulties. Many of the city’s traditional industries, including the textile industry, suffered from competitive pressure and globalization. This led to high rates of poverty and youth unemployment and a decline in population.

In recent years, however, Mulhouse has made efforts to diversify its economy and revitalize its downtown. The city has opened more than 470 shops and businesses in the last eight years, and 75% of the new openings are independent businesses.  Today some notable companies are in the city and in the immediate vicinity but despite these advances, economic recovery remains a challenge.
In a city like Mulhouse, today a remarkable erosion of prosperity can be observed deep into the heart of the city. A kind of prosperity is only visible in a few places, mainly intended for tourism, or in rare cases visible in some restaurants and boutiques. Compared to other cities, the absence of new buildings and construction sites, as well as the sale or rental of new apartments, is highly noticeable. The number of citizens from former colonies, is extremly high but usual in all french cities. The Maghrebians are probably the largest migrant group in Mulhouse  as of my visual observations.

Project Research Notes and Reflections, February 2024