More Spaces for Many—How Vacant Properties Can Make a Difference in a Village
What holds a village together? Often, it’s the everyday places where people meet: the village store, the town square, or the ice cream shop. This is where paths cross, people strike up conversations, and a sense of community takes hold. Yet in many places, such gathering spots are disappearing—and buildings that once shaped village life now stand empty.
Salon Diagonal, November 4, starting at 6 p.m.
in cooperation with the Wüstenrot Foundation
What holds a village together? Often, it’s the everyday places where people meet: the village store, the town square, or the ice cream parlor. This is where paths cross, people strike up conversations, and a sense of community takes hold. Yet in many places, such gathering spots are disappearing—and buildings that once shaped village life now stand empty.
The Wüstenrot Foundation’s sixth “Land und Leute” competition, titled “More Places for Many,” addressed precisely this challenge. The competition sought ideas that would revitalize vacant or unused buildings, create new gathering places, and bring people together. Manuel Slupina of the Wüstenrot Foundation presents the competition and its results: Which projects received awards? What can we learn from their ideas, organizational structures, and experiences?
An excellent example from the region is Qulturwerkstatt e. V. from Netphen-Deuz. With the cultural and community center “Q,” the association has transformed a former carpentry shop into a vibrant hub for culture and community engagement. Qulturwerkstatt was recognized as one of 21 projects in the “Land und Leute” competition and will be attending the event as a local award winner and guest.
Another example of community-driven revitalization of a vacant property comes from provinz:potenzial e. V. in Ebelsbach. The organization is working to reopen the town-owned castle grounds and develop them in collaboration with local residents. This volunteer initiative gave rise to the project “Ran an den Bestand!”: It demonstrates how small, reversible interventions can create an initial usable space—and how, step by step, this grows into a place for encounters and communal appropriation.
Following the exhibition opening, we’ll sit down with Manuel Slupina, Qulturwerkstatt e. V., and provinz:potenzial e. V. to discuss how vacant buildings can be transformed into spaces for the community.
Exhibition Opening and Insight into the “Land und Leute” Competition
with Manuel Slupina, the Wüstenrot Foundation
as well as Qulturwerkstatt e. V. and provinz:potenzial e. V.
