STADT AUFMÖBELN *
A platform for exploring undiscovered possibilities of urban furniture
*(The literal translation would be “Re-furbish the city”. The German word “aufmöbeln”, however, has two connotations: (1) to bring something (back) into a better condition and (2) to revive)
Stadtpark, 1010 Wien © Christina Schraml
Rudol-Bednar-Park, 1020 Wien © Christina Schraml
Donaukanal, 1030 Wien © Christina Schraml
Arenbergpark, 1030 Wien. © Christina Schraml
Hainburger Straße, 1030 Wien © Christina Schraml
Kardinal-Nagl-Platz, 1030 Wien © Christina Schraml
Leonie Rysanek Park, 1030 Wien © Christina Schraml
Rochuspark, 1030 Wien © Christina Schraml
Donaukanal, 1010 Wien © Christina Schraml
Schwedenplatz, 1010 Wien © Christina Schraml
Grete-Jost-Park, 1030 Wien. © Christina Schraml
Kühnplatz, 1040 Wien. © Christina Schraml
Schleifmühlgasse, 1040 Wien. © Christina Schraml
Schafbergbad, 1180 Wien. © Christina Schraml
A bench is there to sit on. That’s its purpose. That’s what it was built for. But if this bench is placed in public space, it can do much more than that. It livens up a place. It offers a place to rest. It leads to random encounters. But it can also displace, erect boundaries, restrict the scope for action. Although the German term “Mobiliar” (furniture) derives from the Latin “mobilis” for mobile, urban furniture usually stands for the opposite: uniform and immobile elements. These are subject to legal norms and strict regulations in terms of design and use.
What forms can and should urban furniture take? Is it just about sitting down or can it also contribute to new qualities of public space? How does urban furniture react to certain places, environments and their qualities? Does it promote exchange between people? Can it create mutual respect in a neighbourhood? Does it encourage participation and appropriation? Does it strenghten cohesion? Does it create new meeting places?
The platform „Stadt aufmöbeln“ seeks undiscovered possibilities of urban furniture. Collective interventions explore potentials – and give rise to ideas on how open spaces can be (re)conquered together.
The project is based on the Social Design study „Eine urbane Knautschzone mit Potential“ and repsonds to its findings. The study deals with the use of public space in a neighbourhood between Prater and Danube in Vienna’s second district. An above-average number of children, young people and people over 60 live in this area. They are once again the focus of “Stadt aufmöbeln”. The platform seeks exchange with international projects, collects and shares experiences.
STADT GEMEINSAM AUFMÖBELN – A MANIFESTO
Public space is the essence of every city. It is what makes a city. It gives a city its character, flair and freedom. It is where people meet, exchange ideas, encounter others – or not. Public space is where they get to know the unknown, the unexpected and the new – or not. It is an existential part of our everyday life. As a place of social behavior, public space makes a decisive contribution to the quality of life of every individual. It can improve the lives of city dwellers – or not.
Urban furniture plays a decisive role in this regard. It is more than just a structural element in public space: it can facilitate social exchange and spaces for experimentation and thus promote coexistence and cohesion.
With the platform “Stadt aufmöbeln”, we call on people to refurbish the city together. Public space should be a place of participation and encounter:
-
- Public space belongs to everyone. It must not be taken over by private interests or become a commodity. It is there for everyone and must be freely accessible – without any compulsion to consume. It should have an integrating effect and offer shelter to the homeless as well as to families.
-
- People are the life-supporting substance of public space. Only through them does it live up to its eponymous adjective. Granting people the right to participate in the design of public space and to appropriate it, strengthens their identification with urban space and thus also their personal responsibility to take care of their living environment ("caring and maintaining").
-
- Of course, different groups also have different demands on public space. People's needs are different and they change over time. Public space is not a still image, but always a process in which "social figures" and practices also change. Its role, function and use are subject to social transformations. For the city is a living organism.
-
- Public space therefore needs areas that are deliberately kept open for future, unforeseen uses. So-called "dysfunctional spaces" (Lucius Burkhardt) are untreated, open spaces that can flexibly adapt to the different requirements of their users and allow for the unplanned.
-
- A future-oriented urbanity needs a careful handling of people and resources. (Im-)material resources are available potentials that - instead of simply being demolished, removed or ignored - support an ongoing reinterpretation and continuous transformation of the existing. A reflective understanding of space as a limited resource in the city therefore also includes capturing, activating, reusing and continuing to use what is already there (knowledge, skills and materials)!
Text: Christina Schraml
- A future-oriented urbanity needs a careful handling of people and resources. (Im-)material resources are available potentials that - instead of simply being demolished, removed or ignored - support an ongoing reinterpretation and continuous transformation of the existing. A reflective understanding of space as a limited resource in the city therefore also includes capturing, activating, reusing and continuing to use what is already there (knowledge, skills and materials)!
STADT AUFMÖBELN *
A platform for exploring undiscovered possibilities of urban furniture
*(The literal translation would be “Re-furbish the city”. The German word “aufmöbeln”, however, has two connotations: (1) to bring something (back) into a better condition and (2) to revive)
Stadtpark, 1010 Wien © Christina Schraml
Rudol-Bednar-Park, 1020 Wien © Christina Schraml
Donaukanal, 1030 Wien © Christina Schraml
Arenbergpark, 1030 Wien. © Christina Schraml
Hainburger Straße, 1030 Wien © Christina Schraml
Kardinal-Nagl-Platz, 1030 Wien © Christina Schraml
Leonie Rysanek Park, 1030 Wien © Christina Schraml
Rochuspark, 1030 Wien © Christina Schraml
Donaukanal, 1010 Wien © Christina Schraml
Schwedenplatz, 1010 Wien © Christina Schraml
Grete-Jost-Park, 1030 Wien. © Christina Schraml
Kühnplatz, 1040 Wien. © Christina Schraml
Schleifmühlgasse, 1040 Wien. © Christina Schraml
Schafbergbad, 1180 Wien. © Christina Schraml
A bench is there to sit on. That’s its purpose. That’s what it was built for. But if this bench is placed in public space, it can do much more than that. It livens up a place. It offers a place to rest. It leads to random encounters. But it can also displace, erect boundaries, restrict the scope for action. Although the German term “Mobiliar” (furniture) derives from the Latin “mobilis” for mobile, urban furniture usually stands for the opposite: uniform and immobile elements. These are subject to legal norms and strict regulations in terms of design and use.
What forms can and should urban furniture take? Is it just about sitting down or can it also contribute to new qualities of public space? How does urban furniture react to certain places, environments and their qualities? Does it promote exchange between people? Can it create mutual respect in a neighbourhood? Does it encourage participation and appropriation? Does it strenghten cohesion? Does it create new meeting places?
The platform „Stadt aufmöbeln“ seeks undiscovered possibilities of urban furniture. Collective interventions explore potentials – and give rise to ideas on how open spaces can be (re)conquered together.
The project is based on the Social Design study „Eine urbane Knautschzone mit Potential“ and repsonds to its findings. The study deals with the use of public space in a neighbourhood between Prater and Danube in Vienna’s second district. An above-average number of children, young people and people over 60 live in this area. They are once again the focus of “Stadt aufmöbeln”. The platform seeks exchange with international projects, collects and shares experiences.
STADT GEMEINSAM AUFMÖBELN – A MANIFESTO
Public space is the essence of every city. It is what makes a city. It gives a city its character, flair and freedom. It is where people meet, exchange ideas, encounter others – or not. Public space is where they get to know the unknown, the unexpected and the new – or not. It is an existential part of our everyday life. As a place of social behavior, public space makes a decisive contribution to the quality of life of every individual. It can improve the lives of city dwellers – or not.
Urban furniture plays a decisive role in this regard. It is more than just a structural element in public space: it can facilitate social exchange and spaces for experimentation and thus promote coexistence and cohesion.
With the platform “Stadt aufmöbeln”, we call on people to refurbish the city together. Public space should be a place of participation and encounter:
-
- Public space belongs to everyone. It must not be taken over by private interests or become a commodity. It is there for everyone and must be freely accessible – without any compulsion to consume. It should have an integrating effect and offer shelter to the homeless as well as to families.
-
- People are the life-supporting substance of public space. Only through them does it live up to its eponymous adjective. Granting people the right to participate in the design of public space and to appropriate it, strengthens their identification with urban space and thus also their personal responsibility to take care of their living environment ("caring and maintaining").
-
- Of course, different groups also have different demands on public space. People's needs are different and they change over time. Public space is not a still image, but always a process in which "social figures" and practices also change. Its role, function and use are subject to social transformations. For the city is a living organism.
-
- Public space therefore needs areas that are deliberately kept open for future, unforeseen uses. So-called "dysfunctional spaces" (Lucius Burkhardt) are untreated, open spaces that can flexibly adapt to the different requirements of their users and allow for the unplanned.
-
- A future-oriented urbanity needs a careful handling of people and resources. (Im-)material resources are available potentials that - instead of simply being demolished, removed or ignored - support an ongoing reinterpretation and continuous transformation of the existing. A reflective understanding of space as a limited resource in the city therefore also includes capturing, activating, reusing and continuing to use what is already there (knowledge, skills and materials)!
Text: Christina Schraml
- A future-oriented urbanity needs a careful handling of people and resources. (Im-)material resources are available potentials that - instead of simply being demolished, removed or ignored - support an ongoing reinterpretation and continuous transformation of the existing. A reflective understanding of space as a limited resource in the city therefore also includes capturing, activating, reusing and continuing to use what is already there (knowledge, skills and materials)!
