6th PEER REVIEW SESSION IN MAGDEBURG 23-25 OCTOBER 2013

The Peer Review Session started with a presentation by one of the Magdeburg KAs on the history and background of the housing estate designed for 30 000 people in Neu Olvenstedt in the wider context of the city of Magdeburg. The problems of a shrinking city and a strongly shrinking neighbourhood (inhabitants today are less than 10 000 people) in terms of population and the management of the process were presented. Meeting and discussion was organised with the heads of different local organisations such as the heads of the Youth Clubs, the Old People’s Club, the association running the creative/adventure playground and kinder farm, the Neighbourhood Manager (Magdeburg KA) and the representative of one of the 6 Housing Companies about the changes of policies for the renewal of the housing estate (From selling the housing stock – to demolition – then to quality refurbishment). Olven TV – operated voluntarily by the residents, reports on the life of the people living at the housing estate. Art concept (colours and ceramics, sculptures and fountains) is present in the neighbourhood contributing to the identity of Neu-Olvenstedt. The demolition lands within the original boundaries of the housing estate provide a special atmosphere in the neighbourhood.

Empty public space       

Renewed public green

The following issues were touched in the presentations and during the site visits:

STRENGTHS

•          good public transport connection to the city center
•          District Agreement between Municipality, public utility companies and housing companies – public hearing every year
•          residents’groups involved in the planning process
•          Neighbourhood manager active in the area
•          strong social infrastructure (Youth Clubs, Old People’s club, etc)
•          housing companies take part in the quality re-construction of the housing estate
•          modern art in public spaces
•          good quality public green areas
•          good practice in refurbishing pre-fabricated blocks of flats
•          small project fund for community activities

       Abandoned school       

       Refurbished block of flats

WEAKNESSES

•   high unemployment rate among the people living in the neighbourhood
•          demolition is still in progress
•          unused demolition land
•          poor image of the area
•          some private investors/owners of flats cannot be involved in the regeneration process (they live outside Europe)
•          vacant flats, empty buildings
•          number of the immigrants growing
•          social tensions

Once the Knowledge Ambassadors delegated by partners to the Magdeburg Peer Review Session learnt about the key issues at the Neu-Olvenstedt area they presented relevant good practices from  Vilnius (awareness raising on environmental issues in residential areas), Budapest (new urban landscape), Salford (example of regeneration) as ideas to be considered and adapted to the LAP of Neu-Olvenstedt. LE was asked to make a presentation on the URBACT programme (LAP and ULSG) and the RE-Block project. Recommendations were also made by the representatives of the partner cities in the discussion with the Members of the ULSG.