Ständige Vertretung
SPACE IS THE CASE! (Free) space as a prerequisite for social participation
Discussing and shaping the development of the Alter Leipziger Bahnhof together.
The initiative has set up a “permanent representation” on the site of the Alter Leipziger Bahnhof (ALB). The “Ständige Vertretung” marks a place where the various local users of the ALB can meet and organize themselves in order to jointly develop and try out ideas and wishes for the future of the area. In this way, sustainable structures, networks and knowledge can grow.
The name “Permanent Representation” is borrowed from diplomacy. A representation is established when it is not possible to set up an “embassy”, either because the state maintaining the representation is not officially recognized or the representation is located in an area that is not recognized as a sovereign state.
The latter could also be applied to the unclear state and future of the site between Leipziger Strasse and Großenhainer Strasse. Nevertheless, various groups of predominantly young people meet here and have been using the site for years. The establishment of a “permanent representation” proclaims their claim to open space and their participation in shaping it within the future urban development process.
Construction week in June
The site was created during a construction week from June 23-29 with around 30 students (architecture and landscape architecture) and local users. The French architecture collective Le Cabanon Vertical from Marseille, experts in practical participation processes, also took part. An entrance with an open staircase made from spray cans collected on site, an embassy garden with a tire plenum and conference benches, as well as mobile furniture, a bar on wheels and a compost toilet were designed and built together around an old sea container. Mainly recycled materials and materials found on the site were used. On June 29, the Permanent Representation was inaugurated with a topping-out ceremony, cool drinks, a vegan barbecue, a European Championship match broadcast and around 200 visitors.
Your participation is needed!
The winning design of the urban planning competition and the confirmation of the design by the building committee show how important and worthy of protection the informally used open space with its lush greenery is and how the city of Dresden wants to preserve it. While the competition involved two years of participation at a more institutional level (“accompanying group”), the “informal” users of the area are now to be involved in order to jointly advance the design and organization of the so-called “appropriation areas”.
Always on Tuesdays, more if you like
The Permanent Representation will be open every Tuesday from July 23 from 6 to 9 pm. At the next meetings, we want to build a notice board and think about a good waste system. Requests and ideas for building activities, workshops, movie nights and other events are very welcome. An embassy reception as a late summer party is also being planned. The various local groups are invited to appoint responsible persons who will then also receive keys to the container. This means that the container and its furniture can also be used outside of Tuesdays. While the container in this first construction phase can be used more as storage for materials, tools and furniture, the next step is to expand it so that it can also serve as a versatile meeting place in the colder months.
Contact us
Write to us by email or Instagram or drop by directly!
Mail
Instagram: @geh8urban
on site: Alter Leipziger Bahnhof, Eisenbahnstraße 2
Ständige Vertretung – an initiative of GEH8urban, the Institute of Urban Design at TU Dresden, the architecture collective Cabanon Vertikal from Marseille and young actors from the Old Leipzig Railway Station.
The project was made possible with funding from the Dresden-Neustadt and -Pieschen district councils, the French Embassy, the Institut Française as well as student and volunteer commitment.
