Since 2003 the ZEIT-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius has invited up to twenty young historians and social scientists (usually postgraduate students) annually to take part in studies programmes in various locations. The aim is to find the traces of history in the topography, architecture and monuments of the place. The city itself is ‘read’ as a historical source - "History Takes Place".
From 8 to 21 September 2013 in cooperation with the Gerda Henkel Foundation the summer school "History Takes Place – Dynamics of Urban Change" will be held in Istanbul. Taking Istanbul as an example, the aim of this year’s summer school is to create an international network of the historical, cultural and social sciences as well as architecture and city planning, in order to examine current developments in urban environments.