Discussion on Podcast #14: House of Statistics
Ready to dive into an intriguing transformation tale? Let's delve into the peculiar journey of a gang of passionate activists and artists, who unexpectedly found themselves at the helm of planning a multimillion Euro development with Berlin's government. We're talking about Initiative Haus der Statistik - a pioneering urban renewal project in the heart of Berlin.
Location: Alexanderplatz, BerlinMain Objective: A people-centric urban revitalization, housing artistic hubs, cultural spaces, social services, and affordable housing.
The story began when a group of visionaries spotted the potential of a derelict government structure, "Haus der Statistik," which had remained vacant for over a decade. With a desire to serve the community's broader needs, they rallied fellow activists, artists, and organizations, advocating for a transparent and communal development process.
This move led to a groundbreaking collaboration with the Berlin government, fostered by a cooperation model known as KOOP5. This model brings together five primary partners: ZUsammenKUNFT Berlin eG (ZKB), BIM GmbH (Berlin's real estate company), WBM GmbH (Berlin's social housing company), the district of Mitte, and the Berlin Senate.
This unconventional partnership has resulted in a refined focus on participatory decision-making and projects geared towards enhancing the common good. The activists and artists have maintained their central role through ongoing involvement, organizing workshops, public forums, temporary uses, and pilot projects to ensure the development's direction aligns with local wisdom and creative insights.
This collaboration not only paved the way for co-planning but also paved the way for civil society to have a direct impact on large-scale, public-private urban projects. So, cheers to this groundbreakingdevelopment that's setting new standards for Berlin's urban rejuvenation!
Key Particulars of the Initiative:
- Location: Alexanderplatz, Berlin
- Main Aim: People-centric urban development
- Key Players: Activists, artists, ZUsammenKUNFT Berlin eG, public authorities
- Collaborative Model: KOOP5: ZKB eG, BIM GmbH, WBM GmbH, Bezirk Mitte, Berlin Senate
- Distinctive Features: Participation, transparency, art and culture focus, pilot projects
Through determination, persuasion, and unwavering collaboration, the initiative seamlessly merged the city administration's interests with the community's creative and social requirements, setting a new benchmark for urban redevelopment in Berlin.
The lobby for a people-centric urban revitalization encompassed not just housing but also artistic hubs, cultural spaces, and social services, resulting in the Initiative Haus der Statistik's focus on home-and-garden lifestyle within the heart of Berlin at Alexanderplatz. Considering the initiative's distinctive features such as participation, transparency, an art and culture focus, and pilot projects, it has served as a trailblazing example for the city's urban rejuvenation, seamlessly merging the city administration's objectives with the community's creative and social necessities.
