Once a traffic-choked corner in Weimar, August-Frölich-Platz is slowly becoming something else—a living laboratory for participatory urbanism, where local residents, children, artists, and activists are challenging traditional models of city planning from the ground up.
Rooted in principles from critical theory, the Citizen Initiative for August-Frölich-Platz unfolding here pushes back against the idea that urban space should be designed solely by technocrats or driven by market logic. Instead, it puts the power to shape public space back where it belongs: with the people who use it.
Since 2023, the square is being reimagined as a public sphere—a space for open dialogue, dissent, and community visioning. Activation like the “Fest-Platz” transformation and artistic placemaking events create room for counterpublics—groups that are often overlooked in official planning processes—to step into the conversation and redefine what the space can be.
In these events, discussion happens through chalk drawings, public design of street furnitures, music, and shared meals. Here, democracy is embodied, not performed.
What’s happening at August-Frölich-Platz is a negotiation between use value and exchange value. Residents are asserting their right to a city made for playing, growing, and connecting —not one dominated by traffic flow charts or property value spreadsheets. Pop-up markets, child-designed crosswalks, and “future scenario machines” make this fight visible, imaginative, and joyfully subversive.
Critics of participatory planning—like Michel Foucault and Mark Purcell—warn that even democratic-looking processes can reproduce power imbalances. Often, the language of “engagement” masks elite control. But here, the initiative is not an expert-driven consultation —it’s a game played on sidewalks, a story told through murals, a future imagined by children and senior citizens. These methods decentralize power and center lived experience.
Every bench installed becomes a small act of resistance against top-down, one-size-fits-all urbanism. It’s tactical placemaking with a a reminder that the city is not just infrastructure, but meaning-making constantly shaped by its people.
Still, critical theory urges vigilance. Participatory projects like this are vulnerable to co- option—used by city governments as branding tools or symbolic gestures. The challenge is to protect the authenticity of the movement and ensure it’s not repackaged as a checkbox in someone else’s development plan.
August-Frölich-Platz is more than a project—it’s a provocation, it’s an invitation to play! It asks: What if cities were planned not around profits, capital, or consultants—but around community, creativity, and care?
See 4 development scenarios co-created by the community with the facilitation of the Citizen Initiative of August-Frölich-Platz, (CGE as implementing organisation) and in collaboration with Bauhaus Module Seminar: explore more here
1. Platz für Feste (Festival Square)
Envisioned as a lively cultural hub, this scenario transforms the square into a venue for community events without significant structural changes.
- Community Engagement: Regular festivals and markets foster social interaction and neighborhood cohesion.
- Economic Boost: Local artisans and vendors gain a platform to showcase their products, stimulating the local economy.
- Cultural Enrichment: Open-air concerts and workshops enhance the cultural landscape of the area.
2. Interaktiver Erlebnisraum (Interactive Experience Space)
Aimed at creating an inclusive and engaging environment, this scenario focuses on interactive elements and accessibility.
- Inclusive Design: Features like play areas and interactive installations cater to all age groups and abilities.
- Educational Opportunities: Informative displays and activities promote learning and community involvement.
- Dynamic Use: Flexible spaces accommodate various events and functions, adapting to community needs
3. Woonerf (Shared Space)
Inspired by Dutch urban design, this concept promotes a shared space where pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists coexist harmoniously
- Safety First: Reduced vehicle speeds and shared zones increase safety for all users.
- Community Interaction: The design encourages spontaneous social encounters, strengthening community bonds.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Green spaces and seating areas enhance the visual and functional quality of the environment
4. Grüner Platz (Green Square)
This vision emphasizes ecological sustainability and leisure, turning the square into a green oasis.
- Environmental Benefits: Increased greenery improves air quality and provides shade, contributing to urban cooling.
- Recreational Space: Open lawns and gardens offer residents a place to relax and engage in outdoor activities.
- Biodiversity: Native plantings support local wildlife and promote ecological awareness.
*The activities are co-funded by European Comission and LAP Weimar
