Urban Hosts brings together people who are actively producing alternatives to our given city infrastructures, norms and perceptions. Established in 2013 to date Urban Knights has taken place in Dublin, Berlin, Aberdeen, Vienna and Bristol. 

On Tuesday 13th Dec the last edition of the  2016 programme will take place in Berlin, continuing with the theme of Urban Toursim. Urban tourism is considered as a form of urban regeneration, as it has the potential to generate substantial economic, social and environmental benefits. Equally, cities as destination spots and party capitals can cause local upset and unrest as residents are pushed out due to higher costs of living and, or feelings of alienation and neglect. This issue of Urban Knights addresses how artistic and cultural practices are positioned in relation to urban tourism and city branding. 

As part of this closing event, composer and pianst Kelly Wyse has created a series of new works based on Berlin, which he will premiere at the event.

Doreen Toutikian [LB]

Designer, social entrepreneur and Director Beirut Design Week discusses project and links between urban exploration, sustainability and community development

Nana Rebhan [DE]

Film maker presents findings from her documentary “Welcome Goodbye” on the rapid growth of Berlin’s tourism industry

Katharina Beckmann [DE]

Co-founder of NICHE Berlin introduces the thinking and approach behind the company’s personalised art and architecture tours of Berlin

Kelly Wyse [DE/US]

Pianist, composer and teacher will open and close the programme, performing and premiering four new piano pieces inspired by Berlin locations