On Friday, November 21, 2025, we will host a symposium at the Technical University of Munich to celebrate the life and work of Frederic Vester. The event is organized by the Chair of Urban Structure and Transport Planning (Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gebhard Wulfhorst) and will feature international speakers. Participants can look forward to inspiring talks, discussions, and encounters centered on Vester’s legacy and its relevance for the future viability of economy and society.
Why Frederic Vester Is More Relevant Than Ever
Vester’s interdisciplinary research and his methods of networked thinking are today essential tools for better understanding and addressing complex challenges—such as those in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. His systemic approaches have been tested and refined over decades of practice. They provide structured and transparent methods for sustainable planning, management, and education.
Public Symposium
When?
Friday, November 21, 2025, 2:00 pm to approx. 8:00 pm
Where?
Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Arcisstr. 21, Vorhoelzer Forum (5.th floor, elevator available, 0501.05.166 (Vorhoelzer Forum)).
You can register here.
The program is given below.
Book Presentation
On the occasion of the 100th birthday of renowned systems researcher Frederic Vester, a comprehensive anthology will be published by Springer Gabler under the title: Systemic Networked Thinking and Sustainability Transformation. Frederic Vester’s Impulses for the Future Viability of Economy and Society.
Edited by Thomas Göllinger and Gabriele Harrer-Puchner, the book brings together 17 contributions from experts in academia and practice. The chapters explore Vester’s life, work, and forward-looking ideas from different perspectives.
To order the book (e-book or print version): https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-658-48645-7
Program
Time | Item |
| 14:00 | Admission, Arrival, and Networking |
| 14:30 | Welcoming words and opening of the public symposium - Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gebhard Wulfhorst, TUM |
| 14:45 | Foreword - Christian Ude (ehem. Oberbürgermeister München) |
| 14:55 | Introduction of the Three Keynotes / Expert Lectures - Gabriele Harrer-Puchner, System Logics T.T. GmbH, St. Gallen |
| 15:00 | Healthy Urban Systems - An Interdisciplinary System Approach Prof. Dr. Céline Rozenblat, Vizedekanin Fakultät Geowissenschaften und Umwelt Forschung-Kommunikation-Qualität, Universität Lausanne |
| 15:20 | Systems Sciences and Human Ecology – Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow? Prof. Dr. mult. Felix Tretter, Vice President Bertalanffy Center, Past President und Beirat Deutsche Gesellschaft für Humanökologie, Wien |
| 15:40 | Implementation of Vester’s Systems Analysis Karl Schweisfurth, Herrmannsdorfer Landwerkstätten / Gut Sonnenhausen bei Glonn |
| 16:00 | Fishbowl Discussion: "Systems Thinking for the next 100 years“ Moderation: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gebhard Wulfhorst, TUM |
| 16:45 | Pause, Austausch und Büchertisch |
| 17:15 | Book Presentation: “Systemic Networked Thinking and Sustainability Transformation. Frederic Vester’s Impulses for the Future Viability of Economy and Society” Prof. Dr. Thomas Göllinger, HTWG Konstanz |
| 17:35 | Life and Work of Frederic Vester - Gabriele Harrer-Puchner "Are We All Cybernetic Thinkers?“ ecopolicy® Simulationsspiel von Frederic Vester. Joint Game in the plenum - Gabriele Harrer-Puchner & Prof. Dr. Werner Manahl School Projects with ecopolicy®: “Kickoff” of the 2026 Cooperation - Christian Graf Bernadotte, Lennart-Bernadotte-Stiftung & Gabriele Harrer-Puchner, Sstem Logics T.T. GmbH, St. Gallen Outlook - Thomas Göllinger, HTWG Konstanz |
| ca. 18:15 | Festive Conclusion: A Glass of Prosecco to Celebrate the Life’s Work of Frederic Vester - Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gebhard Wulfhorst, TUM |
| 18:30 | Closing Reception with Light Snacks |
| ca. 20:00 | End of the event |
Contact
If you have questions, please contact us via info.svp(at)ed.tum.de or phone +49 89 289 22447 (contact person: Frau Ursula Uhse).