How can young people actively participate in the development of their districts and cities? What do these possibilities look like in Berlin and Yerevan, Germany, and Armenia? What procedures and methods are available to achieve positive changes relatively quickly and at a low cost? How can temporary projects lead to long-term sustainable developments in a targeted way? How can we reach out to the public and encourage them to participate? – These and further questions were explored by 24 young people from Germany and Armenia, who had gathered together at the European youth exchange  “Design and share your city!” to really find out the answers!

Activities of the exchange included diverse non-formal workshops dedicated to topics of tactical urbanism, design thinking, and project development, thematic talks with experts, and detailed analysis of best practice projects. Within this exchange, participants also were able to work in groups and develop specific ideas and solutions, aimed at the creation of more attractive youth and public places in Berlin and Yerevan.  

The exchange project was implemented in close cooperation with within Erasmus + Program.

Participant’s feedback.
“Today, on the fourth day of the “Design and Share your City exchange”, a comprehensive project awaited the participants under the motto “urban inventions” and “tactical urbanism”. Already in the morning, the group had a unique opportunity not only to visit the former Berlin’s “House of Statistics”/Haus der Statistik, history of transformation of which sets an example of how public space can be used in a meaningful(!) and community-oriented way. It seems incredible how the original epitome of surveillance of one’s own population in the GDR, after 11 years of abundance, is now being turned into a town hall, affordable housing, creative centre and neighbourhood meeting place. The seemingly impossible has been set in motion by an initiative of volunteers. With the support of the city and the country’s politicians, as well as backing from the neighbourhood, a wasteland in the middle of the city could be turned into something new, liveable and lovable. The second and last item on the agenda was “tactical urbanism”. In a joint brainstorming session, we learned about the mechanism behind tactical urbanism, discovering how each individual can make public space more liveable and safer for pedestrians and cyclists, especially with little financial means. After dinner together, most of the group will go to the Reichstag and their group. All in all, it was once again an informative and at the same time exciting day that makes you want to go on to the following days!” – Sönke Mensing.