Parking space concept: "space makers" dismantled

For around six weeks, they made room for exchange and encounters - on July 31, the "Platzmacherinnen" on the Ölberg were dismantled. Ten parking spaces were removed for the temporary city terraces, which were set up by the city's Roads and Traffic Department as part of the parking space concept for the Nordstadt and Luisenviertel districts. This caused discussion, both positive and negative.

Testing the use of public space
The campaign period showed above all how public space can be used differently. That the street can be more than just a parking space for cars. "With the parking space concept, we are developing a plan for how the public space available to us can be used more efficiently and fairly. The 'Platzmacherinnen' provided the first impetus for the shared use of public transport space away from mobility," explains Gunnar Ohrndorf, Head of Urban Development, Construction and Mobility.

Information events, discussion rounds and joint dinners
This was particularly evident in the various activities that took place at and on the "Platzmacherinnen" during the campaign period: From experiments on the energy transition, to information on children's rights and for car sharing including discounts, to discussion rounds and spontaneous music evenings - the neighborhood also used the mobile terraces for communal dinners, to play cards or to relax briefly in the sun.

Positive and critical feedback
"The response to the 'Platzmacherinnen' was varied, both critical and positive. However, it is pleasing that we reached so many different people with the campaign than with any other participation format for the parking space concept," explains Stella Schwietering, project manager in the Roads and Traffic department. Now that the furniture has been dismantled, the feedback from the emails received, the consultation hours, the on-site mailbox and the online survey will be evaluated. The evaluation will then flow directly into the further development of the parking space concept.