Liveable cities - five creative ideas
What can be done to make urban life good in the future? People in Germany are putting their creative ideas into practice - we present our top five.
Though life in cities is popular among Germans, it also entails many challenges. How can the city of the future address problems such as environmental pollution or social inequality? We present some exciting ideas from Germany.
1. Summer streets in Saarbrücken, Mainz and Munich
Places for people to gather in the city: in a number of German cities, neighbours get together on “summer streets”. During the warmer months of the year, such streets are traffic-free - instead, pop-up cafés, seating or concerts encourage people to spend time outdoors. It was local residents who came up with these creative ideas for such urban oases. Summer streets can be found for example in Saarbrücken, Munich and Mainz.
2. “Edible town of Andernach”
A garden for the entire town - that’s the idea behind the “edible town of Andernach” in Rhineland-Palatinate. Local residents are encouraged to tend and indeed harvest the fruit and vegetables growing here. As well as actively involving people in urban gardening, the project also focuses on protecting biodiversity.
3. Bremen: A new life for the old racecourse
For over one hundred years, horses were raced here, but now the site is to be turned into a sports and leisure park for the people of Bremen. A large part of the nature there is to be preserved, while at the same time creating plenty of space for all kinds of sporting activities. Locals can already enjoy a game of football or try their hand at archery there.
4. “Gitti & Gerda – less lonely together” in Berlin
A project in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district is combating loneliness in old age. “Gitti & Gerda” encourages older women to spend their time together. But if you’re thinking tea parties and afternoon knitting sessions, you’d be barking up the wrong tree. These old ladies get together to let their hair down at parties, enjoy karaoke evenings or take part in the annual trike tour.
5. “Old cotton” in Flöha
A site formerly dedicated to turning cotton into yarn and fabric is being turned into a town centre for Flöha in Saxony. There is already a library, a childcare centre, shops and apartments where the old cotton spinning mill once stood. A market square is currently being built to bring people from across the region together.
