Haus Wiederstein Kleinzell
A Historic Inn Reimagined – Living, Working & Community Across Generations
Haus Wiederstein transforms a historic inn into a vibrant, multi-functional community hub. Combining co-working spaces, physiotherapy and midwifery services, living, and community areas, it fosters innovation and local exchange. The public yard and passage will once again host the regular market, bringing new energy to the village center. With “Wohnen mit Service” for senior citizens, it creates a space where generations connect and village life in Kleinzell thrives.
Austria
Kleinzell 10
4115 Kleinzell im Mühlkreis
4115 Kleinzell im Mühlkreis
Prototype level
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
LEADER
No
41316: Kleinzell im Mühlkreis (AT)
Haus Wiederstein transforms a former inn in the heart of Kleinzell into a multifunctional hub, combining living, working, and community spaces. The initiative aims to revitalize a building and create a future-oriented meeting point for different generations. By blending assisted living, co-working, community activities and private and public areas the project strengthens social cohesion, multi-level engagement and (economic) vitality in the village center.
Target Group
• Senior citizens: Assisted living ("Wohnen mit Service") in barrier-free, small apartments. They have a private space, but are never alone if they need help.
“There are no forms of housing for the “elderly” in the village - retirement homes are only for care cases!”
• Co-Working: Commuters with Home-Office Opportunities, Association who need meeting rooms, Coaching Rooms, People who look for exchange
• Healthcare professionals: Physiotherapy and midwifery services
• Residents and visitors: A semi-public courtyard reconnecting the building with its historical role as a marketplace
• Other (elderly) citizen can visit the community rooms where they can take part or organize something (association “Wohnen mit Service”)
Expected Outcome
• Creating a space where different generations interact, reducing isolation for seniors
• Supporting modern work models co-working space
• Reviving the historic function of the courtyard as a marketplace and public passage, reinforcing local identity
• Repurposing existing architecture for multi-use functions, reducing urban sprawl, and ensuring resource-efficient building adaptation
A House – Multiple Uses – Generations – Private and (Semi-)Public
Haus Wiederstein will become a multi-functional hub, fostering social connections and local engagement. The project strengthens intergenerational exchange, supports new work and living models, and enhances rural quality of life. It serves as a scalable example for rural revitalization across Europe.
Target Group
• Senior citizens: Assisted living ("Wohnen mit Service") in barrier-free, small apartments. They have a private space, but are never alone if they need help.
“There are no forms of housing for the “elderly” in the village - retirement homes are only for care cases!”
• Co-Working: Commuters with Home-Office Opportunities, Association who need meeting rooms, Coaching Rooms, People who look for exchange
• Healthcare professionals: Physiotherapy and midwifery services
• Residents and visitors: A semi-public courtyard reconnecting the building with its historical role as a marketplace
• Other (elderly) citizen can visit the community rooms where they can take part or organize something (association “Wohnen mit Service”)
Expected Outcome
• Creating a space where different generations interact, reducing isolation for seniors
• Supporting modern work models co-working space
• Reviving the historic function of the courtyard as a marketplace and public passage, reinforcing local identity
• Repurposing existing architecture for multi-use functions, reducing urban sprawl, and ensuring resource-efficient building adaptation
A House – Multiple Uses – Generations – Private and (Semi-)Public
Haus Wiederstein will become a multi-functional hub, fostering social connections and local engagement. The project strengthens intergenerational exchange, supports new work and living models, and enhances rural quality of life. It serves as a scalable example for rural revitalization across Europe.
Reducing isolation for older people and developing new housing models for them
Revitalization of the town center
Existing building revitalisation
Participatory based
Social inclusion and local community through multi-functionality
The project focuses on environmental, social, and economic sustainability through the adaptive reuse of historic structures, energy-efficient solutions, and community-driven development.
Sustainable building
• The initiative repurposes an existing historic inn, reducing resource consumption and avoiding unnecessary new construction.
• Revitalizing a building in the town centre also means that life is possible without a car and shops, library, restaurants, doctor, … is within walking distance.
• Traditional building techniques like Vaults, stone walls or old brick walls are preserved where possible.
• We have endeavoured to seal as few areas as possible.
• Reducing living space (25-76m2), but not the comfort and needs of the elderly.
• Flexible floor plans enable many uses if the Users will change. Two Apartments can be merge together. The Co-Working Space can be transformed into a doctor’s suergery or even into another apartment.
Social sustainability
• Through regularly participation in our municipality we check what the citizen needs are and how they can help us to realize their ideas.
• After shaping the first ideas, we founded the “Wohnen mit Service” Association. We are in close contact with the volunteers. They will organize a social program in the common rooms for residents, but also for citizens. They already organized who moves in. They are contact persons and spread the message about the project in our village. However, we must ensure that the volunteer work does not become too much - the project is not yet sufficiently mature to be able to provide an answer here. Our goal is, to make a sustainable voluntarily work possible.
Sustainable building
• The initiative repurposes an existing historic inn, reducing resource consumption and avoiding unnecessary new construction.
• Revitalizing a building in the town centre also means that life is possible without a car and shops, library, restaurants, doctor, … is within walking distance.
• Traditional building techniques like Vaults, stone walls or old brick walls are preserved where possible.
• We have endeavoured to seal as few areas as possible.
• Reducing living space (25-76m2), but not the comfort and needs of the elderly.
• Flexible floor plans enable many uses if the Users will change. Two Apartments can be merge together. The Co-Working Space can be transformed into a doctor’s suergery or even into another apartment.
Social sustainability
• Through regularly participation in our municipality we check what the citizen needs are and how they can help us to realize their ideas.
• After shaping the first ideas, we founded the “Wohnen mit Service” Association. We are in close contact with the volunteers. They will organize a social program in the common rooms for residents, but also for citizens. They already organized who moves in. They are contact persons and spread the message about the project in our village. However, we must ensure that the volunteer work does not become too much - the project is not yet sufficiently mature to be able to provide an answer here. Our goal is, to make a sustainable voluntarily work possible.
Aesthetics & Quality of Experience
Haus Wiederstein creates a balance between tradition and modernity, offering an inspiring and welcoming space that fosters cultural identity, and a high-quality architectural experience for all users.
1. Revitalizing Heritage with a Contemporary Touch
• The former Inn, a place where a lot of people have memories, is preserved and carefully adapted to modern needs, ensuring continuity of place and cultural memory.
• The architectural approach highlights original materials (Stone, and traditional craftsmanship like Vaults), while integrating modern elements like improved lighting, flexible room layouts, …
• The semi-public courtyard, once a vital market space, is reopened to the community, reconnecting residents with the site’s historical function.
• Reopening the community rooms for all people as a place of gathering and exchange.
2. Human-Centered & Inclusive Design
• A barrier-free layout ensures full inclusion of elderly residents, visitors with mobility challenges, and families with young children.
• A mix of private, semi-private, and public spaces allows people to choose the level of interaction they feel comfortable with at the moment.
• The room program was developed with citizen in a citizen participation process. As an example, a man said, “we don’t want to knit, we want to build a birdhouse.” Therefore, a workshop is integrated in the Ground Floor.
Exemplary Impact & Scalability
Haus Wiederstein demonstrates how rural revitalization can go beyond functionality, incorporating design and cultural significance to create places people feel emotionally connected to. Its thoughtful reuse of historic space, inclusive design principles, and integration of community life serve as a replicable model for strengthening rural identity and social cohesion across Europe.
Haus Wiederstein creates a balance between tradition and modernity, offering an inspiring and welcoming space that fosters cultural identity, and a high-quality architectural experience for all users.
1. Revitalizing Heritage with a Contemporary Touch
• The former Inn, a place where a lot of people have memories, is preserved and carefully adapted to modern needs, ensuring continuity of place and cultural memory.
• The architectural approach highlights original materials (Stone, and traditional craftsmanship like Vaults), while integrating modern elements like improved lighting, flexible room layouts, …
• The semi-public courtyard, once a vital market space, is reopened to the community, reconnecting residents with the site’s historical function.
• Reopening the community rooms for all people as a place of gathering and exchange.
2. Human-Centered & Inclusive Design
• A barrier-free layout ensures full inclusion of elderly residents, visitors with mobility challenges, and families with young children.
• A mix of private, semi-private, and public spaces allows people to choose the level of interaction they feel comfortable with at the moment.
• The room program was developed with citizen in a citizen participation process. As an example, a man said, “we don’t want to knit, we want to build a birdhouse.” Therefore, a workshop is integrated in the Ground Floor.
Exemplary Impact & Scalability
Haus Wiederstein demonstrates how rural revitalization can go beyond functionality, incorporating design and cultural significance to create places people feel emotionally connected to. Its thoughtful reuse of historic space, inclusive design principles, and integration of community life serve as a replicable model for strengthening rural identity and social cohesion across Europe.
By integrating assisted living, co-working, local services, and community spaces, the project fosters social cohesion, reduces isolation, and promotes equal opportunities in a rural context. It serves as an exemplary model for new societal approaches to living, working, and aging together.
The barrier-free design ensures full mobility access for all generations, including senior residents, people with disabilities, and families with young children.
Apartments for “Wohnen mit Service” provide elderly residents with independent living options, while offering shared spaces for community interaction.
The mix of housing, working, and public services creates synergies that reduce costs.
The project emerged from the Agenda.Zukunft participatory process, with strong input from local citizens and organizations to ensure it meets community needs.
The association “Wohnen mit Service” plays a key role in managing community activities and services, ensuring self-governance and long-term local engagement.
Aging Population, new work, rural transformation and social inclusion – Haus Wiederstein is a project where a solution to these challenges is brought together in one place- The project gave people a sense of how we can change our environment.
The barrier-free design ensures full mobility access for all generations, including senior residents, people with disabilities, and families with young children.
Apartments for “Wohnen mit Service” provide elderly residents with independent living options, while offering shared spaces for community interaction.
The mix of housing, working, and public services creates synergies that reduce costs.
The project emerged from the Agenda.Zukunft participatory process, with strong input from local citizens and organizations to ensure it meets community needs.
The association “Wohnen mit Service” plays a key role in managing community activities and services, ensuring self-governance and long-term local engagement.
Aging Population, new work, rural transformation and social inclusion – Haus Wiederstein is a project where a solution to these challenges is brought together in one place- The project gave people a sense of how we can change our environment.
Haus Wiederstein was developed through a participatory process involving local citizens, stakeholders, and civil society. Through Agenda.Zukunft, workshops and meetings were held to identify community needs, ensuring the project reflects local aspirations. The initiative benefits a wide range of people: seniors gain accessible housing and social connections, remote workers find professional co-working spaces, and local businesses profit from revitalized infrastructure. The association “Wohnen mit Service” plays a key role in programming community activities, ensuring long-term civic engagement. This citizen-driven approach creates strong ownership, ensures adaptability to future needs, and makes the project a scalable model for rural revitalization.
Locally, we, the municipality of Kleinzell purchased the building and provided the building through a 70-year land-use agreement, ensuring long-term commitment. The association “Wohnen mit Service” and local citizens actively shaped the concept through Agenda.Zukunft workshops.
Regionally, the Pronah Genossenschaft supports the project, fostering local economic structures, while SPES Zukunftsakademie contributes expertise in community building, alternative financing, project coordinator and networking in the region. At the Project level: Haus Wiederstein GmbH is responsible for rental and long-term property management, but is very close contact to the voluntary Verein “Wohnen mit Service”.
Without the European level, the project would not exist in this form, because it all started with a LEADER project. SPES Zukunftsakademie is currently implementing "Haus Wiederstein" as a model project, but are also exchanging ideas at the European level, for example in an ERASMUS+ “Aeging in Place” on communal living for the elderly, where we also visited the construction site of “Haus Wiederstein” on an excursion.
This multi-level cooperation ensures an innovative approach to community living for the elderly in the heart of the city center - the many stakeholders not only support the project, but make it become reality.
Regionally, the Pronah Genossenschaft supports the project, fostering local economic structures, while SPES Zukunftsakademie contributes expertise in community building, alternative financing, project coordinator and networking in the region. At the Project level: Haus Wiederstein GmbH is responsible for rental and long-term property management, but is very close contact to the voluntary Verein “Wohnen mit Service”.
Without the European level, the project would not exist in this form, because it all started with a LEADER project. SPES Zukunftsakademie is currently implementing "Haus Wiederstein" as a model project, but are also exchanging ideas at the European level, for example in an ERASMUS+ “Aeging in Place” on communal living for the elderly, where we also visited the construction site of “Haus Wiederstein” on an excursion.
This multi-level cooperation ensures an innovative approach to community living for the elderly in the heart of the city center - the many stakeholders not only support the project, but make it become reality.
• Social Innovation: The Spes Zukunftsakademie led participatory processes, involving citizens in shaping new housing models for seniors. This ensured that the project meets real community needs.
• Public Administration: The municipality played a crucial role by acquiring the building, ensuring long-term commitment, and aligning the project with strategic development plans.
• Civic Engagement: The Verein Wohnen mit Service developed the operational model, organizing community activities and ensuring support for senior residents.
• Health&Care: Five participants from “Wohnen mit Service” are professional carers.
• Finance & Cooperative Economy: The ProNah Genossenschaft introduced alternative financing through crowdfunding, making the project economically sustainable without relying solely on public funds.
• Real Estate & Property Management: The Haus Wiederstein GmbH oversees rentals, ensuring affordability and long-term sustainability.
• Architecture: The Architekturfachgeschäft (Linz) provided expertise in adaptive reuse, ensuring the renovation preserves the building’s historical character while meeting modern living standards.
The interdisciplinary collaboration ensured a holistic approach—blending social inclusion, sustainable construction, financial innovation, and participatory governance. By combining these fields, the project serves as an exemplary model for community-led rural regeneration.
• Public Administration: The municipality played a crucial role by acquiring the building, ensuring long-term commitment, and aligning the project with strategic development plans.
• Civic Engagement: The Verein Wohnen mit Service developed the operational model, organizing community activities and ensuring support for senior residents.
• Health&Care: Five participants from “Wohnen mit Service” are professional carers.
• Finance & Cooperative Economy: The ProNah Genossenschaft introduced alternative financing through crowdfunding, making the project economically sustainable without relying solely on public funds.
• Real Estate & Property Management: The Haus Wiederstein GmbH oversees rentals, ensuring affordability and long-term sustainability.
• Architecture: The Architekturfachgeschäft (Linz) provided expertise in adaptive reuse, ensuring the renovation preserves the building’s historical character while meeting modern living standards.
The interdisciplinary collaboration ensured a holistic approach—blending social inclusion, sustainable construction, financial innovation, and participatory governance. By combining these fields, the project serves as an exemplary model for community-led rural regeneration.
Haus Wiederstein introduces an innovative, multifunctional approach by integrating assisted living, co-working, healthcare services, and community spaces under one roof. Unlike conventional senior housing, it fosters intergenerational exchange, enabling older residents to live independently while staying socially connected. The alternative financing model, including crowdfunding via the ProNah cooperative, makes the project economically sustainable without relying solely on public funding and action through the health care system and organizations. Instead of new construction, the project emphasizes adaptive reuse, transforming a historic building to preserve cultural heritage. With compact living spaces starting at 25 m², it challenges traditional housing norms, proving that smaller apartments can be highly attractive for elderly people. The participatory development process, involving the municipality, local working groups, and expert, ensures a community-driven and scalable model for rural revitalization.
1. Participation
Participation was essential to finding new housing solutions for older people, ensuring that the community actively shaped the concept. The association "Wohnen mit Service" (formed by local volunteers from the participation process)
2. Interdisciplinary Collaboration
The Mix of volunteers, experts, process coordinator and municipality is a key approach and contributes to the realization of the project.
3. Village&Mulit-Use
The location ensures accessibility, allowing older residents to walk to shops, doctors, and leisure activities, maintaining their independence as long as possible.
Revitalization over new construction, preserving cultural heritage and reducing CO₂ footprint. Only existing buildings in the village center were considered for the project.
Flexible, small living units (starting at 25m²) not to optimize space use, but it is positive side effect. Actually its because elderly people want to live in small units, because it allows to live as long as possible without help in cleaning,.. They can drink a coffee with visitors as well in the common areas.
Multi-use concept: Housing, workspaces, and community areas are combined for efficiency and social interaction.
4. Affordable & Inclusive Housing
The project introduces new housing models that remain affordable for people with minimum pensions (1,250€).
5. Intergenerational
The goal was to create a space for all generations, ensuring that the house remains lively throughout the day.
The combination of co-working spaces, physiotherapy, midwifery services, and assisted living ensures high daily footfall and natural intergenerational exchange.
The semi-public spaces allow community members to participate, help, and feel valued, avoiding a sense of isolation and avoiding the feeling of burdening others.
Participation was essential to finding new housing solutions for older people, ensuring that the community actively shaped the concept. The association "Wohnen mit Service" (formed by local volunteers from the participation process)
2. Interdisciplinary Collaboration
The Mix of volunteers, experts, process coordinator and municipality is a key approach and contributes to the realization of the project.
3. Village&Mulit-Use
The location ensures accessibility, allowing older residents to walk to shops, doctors, and leisure activities, maintaining their independence as long as possible.
Revitalization over new construction, preserving cultural heritage and reducing CO₂ footprint. Only existing buildings in the village center were considered for the project.
Flexible, small living units (starting at 25m²) not to optimize space use, but it is positive side effect. Actually its because elderly people want to live in small units, because it allows to live as long as possible without help in cleaning,.. They can drink a coffee with visitors as well in the common areas.
Multi-use concept: Housing, workspaces, and community areas are combined for efficiency and social interaction.
4. Affordable & Inclusive Housing
The project introduces new housing models that remain affordable for people with minimum pensions (1,250€).
5. Intergenerational
The goal was to create a space for all generations, ensuring that the house remains lively throughout the day.
The combination of co-working spaces, physiotherapy, midwifery services, and assisted living ensures high daily footfall and natural intergenerational exchange.
The semi-public spaces allow community members to participate, help, and feel valued, avoiding a sense of isolation and avoiding the feeling of burdening others.
Haus Wiederstein serves as a scalable and transferable model for rural and small-town revitalization across Europe. Several key elements can be adapted to other locations, beneficiary groups, and contexts:
1.Methodology
•Participatory Planning: The community-driven approach ensures that local needs shape the project. This method can be replicated in other municipalities to develop housing and social infrastructure tailored to residents.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The involvement of municipalities, architects, social organizations, and financing cooperatives demonstrates a replicable strategy for holistic planning.
•Crowd-Based & Cooperative Financing: The model of funding through local cooperatives (e.g., ProNah Genossenschaft) allows other regions to mobilize local investment for similar projects.
2.Housing & Social Concept
•New Assisted Living Models for younger older people: Demographic development in Europe is similar everywhere. We are getting older and older. Our healthcare and pension systems will reach their limits. Society must be able to help itself with the support of the community in order to remain resilient. We need forms of housing for older people where everyone can help, where people can help each other and not everything is regulated. “There is a need for action here! There is no offer in the town, old people's home is only from care level 4, what about before???”
•The "Wohnen mit Service" concept—small, affordable apartments for seniors (minimum pension-friendly) combined with shared spaces.
•Flexibility in Services: Instead of institutional care, the inhabitants have to organize with the volunteers, their families what they need in the moment. However, the concept is not intended to replace the nursing home, but to be a solution in between. We will see how it works.
•Multifunctional Design: The mix of housing, co-working, healthcare, and community spaces fosters intergenerational exchange and can be adapted to different urban an
1.Methodology
•Participatory Planning: The community-driven approach ensures that local needs shape the project. This method can be replicated in other municipalities to develop housing and social infrastructure tailored to residents.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The involvement of municipalities, architects, social organizations, and financing cooperatives demonstrates a replicable strategy for holistic planning.
•Crowd-Based & Cooperative Financing: The model of funding through local cooperatives (e.g., ProNah Genossenschaft) allows other regions to mobilize local investment for similar projects.
2.Housing & Social Concept
•New Assisted Living Models for younger older people: Demographic development in Europe is similar everywhere. We are getting older and older. Our healthcare and pension systems will reach their limits. Society must be able to help itself with the support of the community in order to remain resilient. We need forms of housing for older people where everyone can help, where people can help each other and not everything is regulated. “There is a need for action here! There is no offer in the town, old people's home is only from care level 4, what about before???”
•The "Wohnen mit Service" concept—small, affordable apartments for seniors (minimum pension-friendly) combined with shared spaces.
•Flexibility in Services: Instead of institutional care, the inhabitants have to organize with the volunteers, their families what they need in the moment. However, the concept is not intended to replace the nursing home, but to be a solution in between. We will see how it works.
•Multifunctional Design: The mix of housing, co-working, healthcare, and community spaces fosters intergenerational exchange and can be adapted to different urban an
1. Aging Population & More younger-older people in our society
Global Challenge: Across Europe, the aging population is increasing, creating a demand for care systems.
Local Solution: Haus Wiederstein provides “Wohnen mit Service”, offering affordable assisted living. The model promotes community-based support, allowing seniors to live independently while accessing professional care through mobile services.
2. Climate Change
Global Challenge: The construction sector contributes significantly to CO2-emissions.
Local Solution: Haus Wiederstein focuses on adaptive reuse, preserving the existing structure. Living in smaller apartments, directly in the center of the town, where you can live without a car.
3. Social Isolation
Global Challenge: In modern societies, there is increasing social isolation, especially among elderly populations, and a lack of intergenerational connection.
Local Solution: The initiative encourages intergenerational exchange by combining senior housing with community spaces and services. Public areas like the semi-open courtyard or community room welcome residents and external visitors, fostering social inclusion and creating a lively, shared environment.
4. Democratic Crisis
Global Challenge: Across Europe, trust in political systems is declining, and many citizens feel disconnected from decision-making processes.
Local Solution: Haus Wiederstein was developed through a participatory process, ensuring that local residents could contribute ideas and shape the project’s development. This strengthens democratic engagement. By demonstrating the power of local decision-making, the initiative provides a model for citizen-driven transformation.
By addressing these global challenges with scalable, locally grounded solutions, Haus Wiederstein serves as a replicable model for rural communities across Europe, enhancing sustainability, social inclusion, and economic resilience.
Global Challenge: Across Europe, the aging population is increasing, creating a demand for care systems.
Local Solution: Haus Wiederstein provides “Wohnen mit Service”, offering affordable assisted living. The model promotes community-based support, allowing seniors to live independently while accessing professional care through mobile services.
2. Climate Change
Global Challenge: The construction sector contributes significantly to CO2-emissions.
Local Solution: Haus Wiederstein focuses on adaptive reuse, preserving the existing structure. Living in smaller apartments, directly in the center of the town, where you can live without a car.
3. Social Isolation
Global Challenge: In modern societies, there is increasing social isolation, especially among elderly populations, and a lack of intergenerational connection.
Local Solution: The initiative encourages intergenerational exchange by combining senior housing with community spaces and services. Public areas like the semi-open courtyard or community room welcome residents and external visitors, fostering social inclusion and creating a lively, shared environment.
4. Democratic Crisis
Global Challenge: Across Europe, trust in political systems is declining, and many citizens feel disconnected from decision-making processes.
Local Solution: Haus Wiederstein was developed through a participatory process, ensuring that local residents could contribute ideas and shape the project’s development. This strengthens democratic engagement. By demonstrating the power of local decision-making, the initiative provides a model for citizen-driven transformation.
By addressing these global challenges with scalable, locally grounded solutions, Haus Wiederstein serves as a replicable model for rural communities across Europe, enhancing sustainability, social inclusion, and economic resilience.
1. Sustainability:
• Circular use of space by adapting an existing building rather than constructing new.
• Energy-efficient renovation and integration of eco-friendly materials.
• Encouragement of low-carbon lifestyles through pedestrian accessibility and local services.
2. Inclusivity:
• Participatory approach from the beginning (2019: Agenda Zukunft citizen involvement).
• Affordable housing options for elderly people, ensuring accessibility even for individuals with minimum pensions (€1,250).
• Open community spaces fostering interaction across generations and social integration.
3. Aesthetics & Quality of Experience:
• High-quality renovation respecting regional architecture and cultural heritage.
• A vibrant and multifunctional environment that combines living, working, and community life.
• Public and Semi-Public Places
Future Steps According to NEB Values
• Engaging People at a Grassroots Level: Ongoing collaboration with local citizens, organizations, and municipalities to refine and expand the model.
• Providing Tools and Guidance: Documenting best practices and lessons learned to facilitate replication in other regions. (Not only in Regional Level, also on Erasmus+ Programs thorugh cooperation with the SPES Zukunftsakademie)
• Offering Tailor-Made Solutions: Adapting the concept based on local needs and available infrastructure.
• Multi-Level Engagement: Strengthening cooperation between local, regional, and national actors to support similar projects.
• Ensuring financial feasibility while prioritizing community well-being and accessibility. About 50% of the shareholders are from the surrounding area. They are interested in making sure the project works.
• Circular use of space by adapting an existing building rather than constructing new.
• Energy-efficient renovation and integration of eco-friendly materials.
• Encouragement of low-carbon lifestyles through pedestrian accessibility and local services.
2. Inclusivity:
• Participatory approach from the beginning (2019: Agenda Zukunft citizen involvement).
• Affordable housing options for elderly people, ensuring accessibility even for individuals with minimum pensions (€1,250).
• Open community spaces fostering interaction across generations and social integration.
3. Aesthetics & Quality of Experience:
• High-quality renovation respecting regional architecture and cultural heritage.
• A vibrant and multifunctional environment that combines living, working, and community life.
• Public and Semi-Public Places
Future Steps According to NEB Values
• Engaging People at a Grassroots Level: Ongoing collaboration with local citizens, organizations, and municipalities to refine and expand the model.
• Providing Tools and Guidance: Documenting best practices and lessons learned to facilitate replication in other regions. (Not only in Regional Level, also on Erasmus+ Programs thorugh cooperation with the SPES Zukunftsakademie)
• Offering Tailor-Made Solutions: Adapting the concept based on local needs and available infrastructure.
• Multi-Level Engagement: Strengthening cooperation between local, regional, and national actors to support similar projects.
• Ensuring financial feasibility while prioritizing community well-being and accessibility. About 50% of the shareholders are from the surrounding area. They are interested in making sure the project works.
