Historical Development and Future Opportunities
Our Zine Mobility Culture in the Saarland provides a concise overview of the development of mobility in the region from 1945 to the present. As one of the first outcomes of our project, this zine aims to contribute to the contemporary discourse on mobility by opening up new conversations and encouraging shifts in perspective on the region’s planned landscape.
Through a retrospective analysis, we examine how political decisions, economic transformations, and urban planning principles have shaped today’s transportation infrastructure. The zine focuses on why the Saarland has developed such a high density of cars and highways and explores the historical path dependencies that have led to this situation. At the same time, it investigates how everyday mobility needs have evolved over time and how different social groups have been affected by these changes. Alongside the development of roads, railways, and public transportation, the zine also addresses the social and symbolic dimensions of mobility. Its aim is to present these complex interrelationships in an accessible way while laying the groundwork for a broader discussion about future mobility pathways in the Saarland.
The cover side features a photographic research conducted at the Saarländisches Landesarchiv. It presents a visual sequence that echoes the themes explored throughout the publication. We selected and digitized archival photographs from different years and perspectives, allowing the topic to emerge visually. The format of the zine draws inspiration from geographical maps, a medium used to orient oneself within a landscape, plan interventions, and organize reality through a particular cultural framework. It is also inspired by the Parkplatzmöglichkeiten maps distributed in Saarbrücken during the 1960s to help drivers navigate the city’s growing parking shortage.
Full image credits are provided on the Photo Credits page of our website and throughout the zine. Our zine is available free of charge in print and as a download. The project is not for commercial purposes and is intended exclusively for non-profit scientific distribution. If you are interested in the project we would be happy to hear from you via our contact form.
