Ministry for the Future

The Ministry addresses problems around the globe. But in this episode, the crisis unfolds right on its doorstep. In 2032 and 2033, Switzerland and much of the Alpine region were devastated by unprecedented 1,000-year floods. Hundreds of thousands were forced to evacuate their homes—including in Zurich. With such extreme events now appearing to be part of a new normal, the governments of the Alpine region have turned to the Ministry for the Future for guidance and consultation. How likely is another flood in 2034? Should flood risk maps determine where people are allowed to live? Could the future of residence in flood-prone areas involve seasonal migration, adopting a nomadic way of life? And if so, where should people relocate—to other parts of Switzerland, or to neighboring countries?
Among the speakers at the hearing are Dr. Federica Remondi, responsible of advancing Swiss Re's global flood risk assessment, in this role, she coordinates and mentors research activities and model developments in regards to hydro-meteorological extreme events, advancing Swiss Re's global flood models, Dr. David Kostenwein, coordinator of the Humanitarian Planning Hub at the Spatial Development and Urban Policy Research Group at ETH, and Dr. Yan Freihardt, a political scientist specializing in the effects of climate change on communities in Bangladesh. Additional experts will follow.


When April 11, 7 p.m. 
Where Rathausbrücke Zürich 
Duration Approx. 2h
Language English

With Dr. Federica Remondi, Dr. Yan Freihardt, Dr. David Kostenwein, Sascha Ö. Soydan and Sofia Elena Borsani

Concept Yael Borofsky, Georgia Drew, Charlotte Müller, Eneas N. Prawdzic, Julia Reichert, Sascha Ö. Soydan, Linus Truninger and Mario Wimmer 
Production Design Birke Beyer, Bettina Bessenyei, Juhee Han, Emily Hugger, Luca Ihns, Josephine Leicht, Ewa Wasilewska, Verena Zenker, and students of the HfG Karlsruhe (lead by Prof. Constanze Fischbeck) 
Dramaturgy Julia Reichert and Eneas N. Prawdzic (Proberaum Zukunft) 
Production Assistance Linus Truninger

A Cooperation between Collegium Helveticum, Hochschule für Gestaltung Karlsruhe, proberaum zukunft and Theater Neumarkt Zürich