The future of the Hauptwache is in the hands of Frankfurt's citizens: from Tuesday, September 17, the city planning office is launching a comprehensive citizen participation process for the redesign of one of the city's most central locations. As part of the "Schöneres Frankfurt" program, citizens can contribute their opinions, stories and wishes regarding the Hauptwache and thus actively participate in the planning and redesign of this important location.
The participation process, which will run until autumn 2025, aims to redefine the unique character of the Hauptwache from the perspective of the people of Frankfurt. The planners want to find out what significance the Hauptwache has for people, what they value about this location and what future they envision for this space. The first step in the #HauptwacheZukunft transformation process has thus been taken.
Throughout the year, various formats will be offered in order to hear as many voices as possible and gather different perspectives. Both the public space on site and a digital platform at ffm.de/hauptwache will be used. In this way, all interested parties, including citizens, store owners and cultural professionals, can share their ideas and suggestions about the Hauptwache.
The kick-off events will take place on Monday, September 23, from 1 to 7 pm and on Tuesday, September 24, from 8 to 11 am directly at the Hauptwache. There, the people of Frankfurt can talk to those involved in the project and contribute their ideas directly. A first interactive workshop "Hauptwache See|Hear|Feel" is planned for Friday, October 11, from 12 noon to 5 pm. Here, participants will have the opportunity to rediscover the place with all their senses.
The public space in Frankfurt and the Hauptwache in particular are the focus of interest for many citizens. In recent years, the desire to redesign and upgrade the Hauptwache has increased significantly. At the same time, opinions on how this should be done are diverse and sometimes contradictory. This makes it all the more important to develop a shared vision that takes all interests into account.
The Frankfurt Urban Planning Office is working closely with the Munich-based participation office Studio|Stadt|Region, which offers various formats for exploring, experiencing and participating. The aim of the process is to use the collected perspectives to develop a clear and common line for the future design of the Hauptwache. This is not just about redesigning the surface of the square, but also about the urgently needed renewal of the technical infrastructure that lies beneath the Hauptwache.
The Hauptwache itself has an eventful history: Built in the 1960s as a transportation hub, the area was further transformed in the 1970s when the Zeil was converted into a pedestrian zone. Since the closure of the thoroughfare in the 2000s, a large, car-free square has developed, but it has not yet been given a clear use.
Now this important place is to be given a new, shared meaning through the participation of the people of Frankfurt.
