Civic participation and project development in inter-municipal urban redevelopment

Implementation of a key project as part of the support programme "Urban Redevelopment Hessen"

Raunheim has a new town centre: One of the last historic buildings, an old timber-framed house under order of preservation, has been historically restored as part of the regeneration programme "Urban Redevelopment in Hessen" by the town of Raunheim. A project which the town developed jointly with its citizens, for its citizens. As a result a new and important community centre was created in the heart of the old town centre, using the listed building and adding a new modern block to it: A meeting point for residents, shoppers and visitors to Raunheim offering different advice and social meeting venues.

Since 2006 the future of the area had been subject to extensive controversial discussions. By order of the town council the NH ProjektStadt organised various civic participation events over a period of one and a half years. The residents of Raunheim thus participated by way of a broad citizen dialogue in the decision-making about the preservation of existing buildings or new constructions, but also about the future use and the design of any work undertaken.

While the use focus of the old building is on advice for senior citizens, the new building provides ample space for cultural events. In the part of the building that has both a kitchen and a bar, lunch is served to senior citizens every day. A communal senior citizen's café, adult education courses and other offerings ensure plenty of variety. Competent advice is offered by members of the town's administration and by voluntary counsellors of the Advisory Board for Senior Citizens and from civic groups.

Objective:	Restoration and structural addition to the historic timber-framed building "Unter der Linde" [Under the Limetree] in Raunheim - a project request by Raunheim residents is realised in form of a neighbourhood community centre.
Course of events:	After having organized the civic participation, the project was, prior to commencement of construction, agreed at federal state level between the professional, the public-funding and the building sector experts from the Wirtschafts- und Infrastruktur Bank Hessen.
Financing:	Agreement and coordination of construction inspections by NH Projekt Stadt with the Hessian Ministry of Economy, Transport and Regional Development and the Wirtschafts- und Infrastrukturbank Hessen as regards to the funding support means.
Achievements of NH ProjektStadt:	Implementing a moderated, multi-tier participation process in a project development as part of Urban Redevelopment Management. Consultancy and coordination relating to matters of public funding support.

Your contact persons

Marion Schmitz-Stadtfeld
Tel. 069 6069-1142
Fax 069 6069-51142
marion.schmitz-stadtfeld@nh-projektstadt.de

Dennis Hofmann
Tel. 069 6069-1111
Fax 069 6069-51111
dennis.hofmann@nh-projektstadt.de