The residential area was characterised by its underdeveloped open area capacities. Furthermore the so called elephant  playground had been neglected over several years. Central point of the measure was to restore the former playground permanently in order to improve the open space situation in the neighbourhood.

Apart from its Wilhelminian-style block construction, the redevelopment and neighbourhood management area “Helmholtzplatz” was especially characterised by its underdeveloped open area capacities. An unattended playground was revitalised by the parents’ initiative “Elefantenspielplatz” (elephant playground) and with subsidies from the neighbourhood fund of the “Social City” funding programme of the Federation and the Länder. The construction of a circular wall with 70 metres in length, provided the area with the character of a circus arena. The playground owes its name to a former spring toy.

For the time of the building measures the parents’ initiative became the legal owner of the playground. Following the completion of the measures its ownership was resumed again by the district. The playground was reconstructed by the parents themselves, who were supported by a landscape architectural practice. Some of the demolition and unsealing measures were executed by the responsible district council. For all tasks, which could not be done on their own account, special firms were commissioned, the greening was done by the parents themselves. The reconstruction measures were financed through sponsors and from the neighbourhood funds. The playground is maintained by the local parks and gardens department but is also supported by the parents’ initiative. The owners of a close-by cafe drafted a maintenance contract in order to assume the maintenance of the playground.

The playground was highly accepted by the local residents. The opening of a  fire-resisting wall in a neighbouring house enhanced social control. Directly next to the playground, a children’s shop, lending toys and including a children’s theatre, established. Despite small finances, an ambitious project was realised based on own intiative and professional support.

The measures address local families with children.

The project was supported with subsidies from the neighbourhood fund of the “Social City” funding programme of the Federation and the Länder. A large part of the works was done by sponsors and parents.

S.T.E.R.N. GmbH Quartiersmanagement
Berlin
Germany
http://www.kiez-lebendig.de
Ms Ute Truttmann, tel. +49 (0)30/747 78 220

01/01/2001

case

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Community development

Citizens' participation