Neustadt celebrates the best parklets: Creative interior design awarded!

Neustadt celebrates the best parklets: Creative interior design awarded!

In the lively Outer Neustadt, the parklets that were on Louisenstrasse and Alaunstrasse this summer caused a particular stir. The Outer Neustadt Foundation, which has been committed to beautifying the district for over 30 years, has awarded the most creative of these mini oases in an evaluation. One summer weekend, representatives from the foundation went out into the streets and collected data about the different parklets. It becomes clear: These initiatives are not just pretty design elements, but also part of the growing mobility transition.

Parklets represent a change in cities' mobility concepts. Although they were not originally intended for a car-free future, they show how public space can be redesigned to increase the quality of stay. Loud Sustainability initiative Parklets give people more space for pedestrians and promote meeting and interaction in neighborhoods. They are usually made of wood and extend the sidewalk around the parking lane, which increases both the space and the opportunities for social contacts.

The best parklets in Neustadt

Three parklets were particularly recognized in the award:

• Parklet am Martin-Luther-Platz 1
• Parklet an der Alaunstraße 27
• Mobiles Parklet der Initiative Verkehrswende

There was also prize money for the winners: 500 euros for the parklet at the “Glocke” and 250 euros for the Verona ice cream parlor on Alaunstrasse as well as the Verkehrswende initiative. Uwe Schneider, board member of the foundation, emphasizes: “The design of public space has immense importance for our coexistence in the city.” The Transport Transition Initiative also sees the award as confirmation of its commitment to change in transport, which has been ongoing since 2018. The prize money won will be invested in new seating and additional parklets.

Urban planning and public participation

Next year, the city administration is planning a traffic trial on Louisenstrasse in which car parking spaces will be reused. Feedback from the population is expressly desired, because the Outer Neustadt Foundation relies on creative ideas to make the district even more lively. It is important that such projects are carried out in coordination with city planning in order to ensure smooth approvals. The Senate Department for Mobility in Berlin shows how important a fair distribution of traffic areas is and has supported 60 new parklets in the last 12 months.

In summary, parklets are not just simple seating, but a key to changing urban living spaces. They not only bring color but also lively social interactions to the neighborhood. Leipzig and other cities should use this as an incentive, because the positive influence on the cityscape and coexistence should not be underestimated. It is important to continue to expand and support this trend!