The future quality of living in Altona - Urban development in the 20th and 21st century

The special exhibition of the Altona Museum thoroughly examines house-building and urban development in an innovative way. Taking the Hamburg district Altona itself as a starting point, the exhibition's appealing scenography, its striking graphics, and vivid colours (as a reference to the art of Piet Mondrian) guide the visitors through more than 100 years of house-building in Altona. The topics described in the exhibition range from the housing shortage of the 1890s, the National Socialist housing policy, the idea of car-friendly cities from the 1950s and 60s, the urban development spurred by the citizens of the 1970s, and current developments.

A signage system in the shape of a black and white „roadmap“ along the walls and floors guides the visitors through the different chronological chapters. Thematic displays through the tour complement the chronological narrative and accentuate the design. Their vivid, monochrome scenography resembles the rooms of an apartment and creates a strong visual focus. These room-in-a-room installations invite the visitors to come inside, reflect, and take action. These thematic displays correspond to the topics emphasized by the tour. Tenancy laws, for example, are discussed in the “bedroom”, the topic of mobility in the “garage”. Exhibits like doll houses from different periods and architectural models are supplemented by portrait features of the architects or interviews with the tenants. Interactive stations and hands-on exhibits invite the visitors to get involved and start designing themselves. After all, the exhibition pursues the difficult question of how to create new living spaces for a growing city without diminishing the quality of living or the community interaction.