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Erlangen in focus: ZAM as a model for civic urban development!
Erlangen is recognized as a special place for urban development for the ZAM. Difu emphasizes civic engagement.
Erlangen in focus: ZAM as a model for civic urban development!
The year 2025 is slowly coming to an end, and in keeping with this, the German Institute for Urban Studies (Difu) has given out a special award: Among the extraordinary urban places that promote identity and togetherness in German cities, the ZAM - Center for Exchange and Making in Erlangen stands out. Loud achieve.de The ZAM is a prime example of community-initiated urban development.
The focus of this initiative is on promoting places and facilities that offer encounters, culture and community. The aim is not only to enrich urban life, but also to actively shape it. The ZAM has made a name for itself through innovative concepts and the involvement of citizens and is therefore featured prominently in the Difu presentation. This report highlights the relevance of places that strengthen social cohesion in the city.
Creating a lively city with citizen participation
Citizen participation is a key issue in urban development. Difu emphasizes that community participation is much more than just organizing individual projects. Cities strive for integrated participation strategies that promote a sustainable culture of participation. The concept of “structured participation” serves to bundle different projects and participation formats and to create transparent communication between administration and citizens.
The options are diverse: from participation platforms to regular information events – all of this is intended to help urban society become more actively involved. Research projects in 16 cities are investigating how effective structured participation can be designed. However, there is still a lack of uniform concepts across Germany that make access to participation formats easier.
Urban planning – the interplay between identity and development
Urban identity is an exciting and complex topic that plays a central role in urban planning. Loud abes-online.com Identity is not homogeneous, but constantly changing. Historical, architectural and social factors shape the image of a city and influence the citizens' sense of home. The formation of identity, which is fundamental to city life, often takes place especially in smaller urban areas.
The challenges facing many cities today range from creating affordable housing to revitalizing vacant properties in rural areas. Historical buildings can offer potential for an attractive urban future and at the same time preserve cultural roots. Sustainable construction is therefore becoming increasingly important in the urban planning discussion.
In summary, it can be said that the ZAM in Erlangen not only deserves an award, but also serves as a role model for other municipalities. The interplay of citizen participation, identity and effective urban planning shows that the development of urban spaces is a joint task that can be designed with a good hand.