Cottage in Seelübbe is looking for creative ideas – Become part of the change!

Cottage in Seelübbe is looking for creative ideas – Become part of the change!

In Seelübbe, a picturesque town near Prenzlau, a charming little house is looking for new ideas and creative minds. With an area of ​​46 square meters and functional equipment, including toilets and a kitchenette, the building is ready for repurposing to discover new uses. It was previously used for catering, but now the city of Prenzlau wants to bring a breath of fresh air into the rooms. Susanne Ramm, the city manager, has taken the initiative and makes it clear that converting it into living space can be complicated, but not impossible. The call on the city's social media channels, inviting the population to contribute their ideas, has already borne fruit, and there are many creative suggestions such as an art studio or a yoga room. Anyone interested in taking part in this project can simply contact the city by email or telephone. An inviting video also gives a first impression of the house and its possibilities.

But something is not only happening in Seelübbe. The creative space is also being illuminated in a new way beyond Bavaria's borders. The “Rethinking Homeland” project of the Bavarian Association of Cultural and Creative Industries (BLVKK) takes on exactly this matter. It aims to develop creative spaces and make efficient use of vacant spaces. For this purpose, a new website was launched in Regensburg, which not only shows where hidden potential lies in the region, but also offers helpful networks for cultural workers and start-ups. Stephanie Reiterer, BLVKK project manager, emphasizes how important it is to support rural areas and develop long-term strategies for the use of empty buildings. One example is the Frauenzell monastery in Brennberg, which functions as an experimental space for socio-culture and art.

Creativity as a motor of urban development

The growing importance of the cultural and creative industries for urban development is not only reflected in the initiatives mentioned. Since the early 2000s, this industry has been viewed as a key resource for local and regional economic development. The various fields of action that are influenced by the creative industries range from neighborhood development to educational policy to participation culture. The network approach is also increasingly required to bring creativity into urban development. An exciting picture emerges in which cities and regions are perceived as centers of knowledge and creativity in which local actors are offered opportunities to develop.

As part of the “City as Campus” project, we are currently investigating how city administrations can promote creative milieus and places. A wide range of instruments is used, including living labs and creative quarters. Supported by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and numerous local and regional actors, the aim is to integrate the unused potential of creative actors into city and neighborhood development.

With the ongoing efforts to find creative uses, not only in Seelübbe, but also across the country in Bavaria and beyond, it is clear: the future belongs to the visionaries who breathe new life into empty spaces with their ingenuity. There is great potential here that is just waiting to be seized. It remains to be seen whether the creative initiatives will come to fruition in Seelübbe or in Bavaria, but one thing is certain: the demand for creative spaces is high and offers are welcome.

For further information about the projects and opportunities available in Seelübbe and as part of the Bavarian project “Rethinking Homeland”, those interested can visit the website nordkurier.de, mittelbayerische.de and national-urban-development-policy.de visit.