THREE PLACES FOR CHORWEILER

COLOGNE / 2016
PARTICIPATORY DESIGN FOR THREE SQUARES

Collaboration: STUDIO AMORE, UMSCHICHTEN

Role: project lead for URBAN CATALYST

Client: City council cologne

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In the general perception, Chorweiler exemplifies the gap between the ideal and the reality of the large housing estates from the 1960s and 1970s and thus also the classic problems of such neighborhoods as so-called "social hot spots. In this area of tension between social hotspots and livable, affordable neighborhoods, public space assumes an important function. Squares are central places where the urban community meets, exchanges ideas, shops, and presents itself. As part of a citizen participation process, concepts for redesigning the public space around the center of Chorweiler were formulated together with the Chorweiler population and initiatives from the district. Together with the office Umschichten from Stuttgart we developed the "Platzstation" - a mobile and multifunctional participation platform. For the duration of a week, the Platzstation became a focal point for residents' ideas for the future. With building activities, concerts, cooking events, safaris and idea walls, wishes were collected and alternative uses tested directly on site.

The results of the square station gave rise to the concept of fixed and flexible development spaces for which different strategies apply in each case. In addition to a permanent redesign of the three squares, there were zones that were temporarily designed and reprogrammed in a participatory manner.