NEB-STAR Festival
NEB-STAR is entering its final phase. The journey of co-creation, experimentation, and collective innovation culminates with a celebration of the New European Bauhaus at a final event in Stavanger
During these days, we will showcase the insights and achievements of NEB-STAR, reflect on our shared experiences, and chart a path forward—keeping the spirit of the New European Bauhaus alive.
Join us for the NEB-STAR Festival in Stavanger, a dynamic celebration of three years of experimentation with new partnership models and tools at the intersection of sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusivity. Through talks, presentations and concrete examples, we’ll share what we’ve actually done, what we’ve learned – and what we recommend going forward.
Main Theme: New Partnership Models
At the core of the festival is the exploration of new ways of working together—across sectors, disciplines, and communities—to drive meaningful change. Through keynotes, discussions, and interactive formats, we will dive deeper into:
- Neighborhoods as Arenas for Development and Collaboration – How local environments can become dynamic testbeds for innovation, participation, and shared value creation.
- Aesthetics as a Driving Force for Development, Cooperation, and Communication – The role of design, art, and cultural expression in shaping better urban futures and fostering inclusive collaboration.
What to Expect
- Inspiring Keynotes & Talks – Learn from thought leaders and practitioners who have tested innovative partnership models in real-world contexts.
- Interactive Workshops & Guided Tours – Engage with hands-on experiences and visit urban testbeds showcasing transformative projects.
- Art & Cultural Experiences – Explore how aesthetics and cultural expression influence urban development, and community engagement.
- Networking & Social Events – Connect with experts, innovators, and communities to exchange ideas and forge new collaborations.
Festival Highlights
Day 1 (May 21) – Hosted at Innoasis, featuring keynotes, artistic performances, and interactive panels sharing insights on partnerships, collaboration, and transformation.
Day 2 (May 22) – A deep dive into NEB-STAR’s two demonstration areas with workshops, guided tours, and testbed explorations at Pedersgata and Site 4016.
Festival Program
The programme is still under development, and more speakers and sessions will be announced continuously.
Day 1
Date: 21 May 2025
Location: Stavanger, Norway
Time: 11:00–18:00
11:00–12:00 | Lunch and Opening Ceremony
We begin the day with lunch, music and informal mingling before officially launching the festival. We’ll introduce the NEB-STAR project and celebrate three years of experimentation, collaboration and learning. What have we tested? What has surprised us? What have we achieved – and what lies ahead?
Hosts: Heather Bergsland and Tom Sjøen
Opening speech: Kjartan Alexander Lunde, Chair of the Committee for Climate and Environment, City of Stavanger
12:00–13:00 | NEB-STAR in Europe’s Green Transformation
The New European Bauhaus gives us a new language and new tools for transformation. This session explores how NEB-STAR has served as a testbed for putting the NEB principles of inclusion, sustainability and beauty into action – in local planning, partnerships and neighborhoods.
Speakers include:
- Annemie Wyckmans, NEB-STAR Project Coordinator, NTNU – NEB-STAR as a foundation for the green transition
- Arjan van Timmeren, Full Professor, Environmental Technology and Design, TU Delft – From Principles to Practice – How New Partnership Models in Area Development Drive Impactful and Lasting Change
13:15–14:30 | How Do We Create Lasting Change?
What happens when cities, businesses, citizens and academia join forces to explore new solutions? In this session, we reflect on what has actually led to new ways of working and collaborating – and how these experiences can shape the way we work in the future.
Speakers include:
- Gunn Jorunn Aasland, Director of Urban and Community Planning, City of Stavanger
- Rune Augenstein, Head of Innovation, Smedvig Eiendom
- Ragnhild Klevmoen, CEO, Norway Unlimited
15:00–15:50 | Aesthetics as a Driver of Change
How can aesthetics help make complexity more understandable, spark engagement, and build shared experiences where words fall short? In NEB-STAR, we’ve explored how the NEB principles of beauty, sustainability and inclusion can take shape in everyday life – through design, architecture and art.
Speakers include:
- Siv Helene Stangeland, Architect and Creative Director, Helen & Hard
- Anna Ihle, Artist
- Benedetta Crippa, Graphic Design Director, Artist and Researcher
15:50–16:45 | Neighbourhoods as Platforms for Innovation
What does it take for neighbourhoods to become drivers of sustainable development? Drawing on experiences from Pedersgata and Site 4016, this session explores how people, ideas and systems can connect to enable change – from the ground up.
Speakers include:
- Henrik Lundberg, City Architect, City of Stavanger
- Thomas Kloster-Jensen Macintyre, University of Stavanger
- Elise Hariem, pupil, Hetland Upper Secondary School
- Presentation from the Jammerdal group
17:00–18:00 | From City Plan to Urban Change – Recommendations for Europe
How do we create broad ownership of city plans – not just within the municipality, but across sectors and communities? NEB-STAR has shown how the NEB values can be translated into concrete, participatory processes. We’ll close the day by looking ahead: How can planning and policy become tools for real transformation?
Speakers to be announced
From 18:00 | Celebration at Innoasis
We invite all festival participants to join us for an evening of food, music and informal celebration at Innoasis.
Day 2
Date: 22 May 2025
Location: Pedersgata and Site 4016
Time: From 09.00
Join us for guided site visits to our two Stavanger demonstration areas: Site 4016 and Pedersgata. This is an opportunity to experience first-hand how ideas have taken physical form – and experience the impact of the project. Stay tuned for more information.
Who Should Attend?
- Urban planners, architects, and designers exploring new sustainable approaches
- Entrepreneurs and business leaders seeking innovative collaboration models
- Policymakers and municipalities looking for tested strategies in urban transformation
- Academics and researchers investigating the future of co-creation and design-driven innovation
- Local communities & citizens shaping their urban environment
The NEB-STAR Festival is more than an event—it’s a platform for sharing knowledge, lessons, and tools developed over three years of collaboration. It’s an opportunity to reflect, inspire action, and collectively build more inclusive and sustainable urban futures. This event is free and open to anyone who wants to participate.
Stay tuned for program updates and speaker announcements!