MARTINA DREßELT .​
EBERSWALDE MOVES.
YOU, ME, US.
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Current Status
Eberswalde, north of Berlin, is one of many shrinking cities of East Germany, by almost a quarter. The closure of several factories led to high unemployment. Infrastructure and housing have been dismantled. A population without a future perspective remained. Since 2017, after down sizing processes, Eberswalde became a growing city. A strong civil society developed. Commitment and participation are reflected in a variety of social initiatives. However, there is an acute shortage of infrastructure, leisure and cultural programs and thus, of communal places. Isolation and lack of communication show up in some existing neighborhoods.
Research Approach
This implies on going changes and transformation processes. We students of Urban Futures, University of Applied Sciences Potsdam, had the task to develop innovative workshop concepts for relevant future topics, to test them on site, methodically exploring the use of system models and data visualisations.
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Our project teams researched directly on site within two semesters in various project groups, in cooperation with the city and initiatives of Eberswalde. By needs analyses in the form of surveys our «Eberswalde moves» team draw up a future vision (until 2030) for the future participation of the citizens:
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A MOBILE HOUSE AS ACTIVATOR FOR PARTICIPATION CULTURE AND COMMON SOCIAL MOVEMENT
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Eberswalde is a dynamic city. Each district offers a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities, and the residents shape their urban habitat. The neighborhood meets in common spaces, priorities focuses on communication and creating a collective development. Social participation has increased, even the turnout and political commitment. Integration is working and the city is facing population growth. This creates new jobs and makes the city attractive. Eberswalde is a communal city everyone feels connected to. Everything is in motion, everyone is part of it.
Research Process
Image and Graph Credit: Project team «Eberswalde moves. You, Me, Us.», Institute of Urban Futures, University of Applied Sciences Potsdam