What is the Kiezlabor?
From an old shipping container an energy self-sufficient Tiny House was born – the Kiezlabor! Our target group: EVERYONE – young, old, with a digital affinity or not! The essential thing is that you want to meet the big and small challenges of the present with courageous ideas and sustainable visions for the future. Under the motto “Without you, we’re just a container”, the Kiezlabor brings the prototypical approach of CityLAB to the Kieze of Berlin and invites you and your neighbourhood to explore and help shape the potential of digital transformation together. The Kiezlabor is an open space that serves as a workshop area, a stage, an interactive exhibition, a networking forum or simply as a place to have a cup of coffee.
The Kiezlabor is a project of CityLAB Berlin and the Technologiestiftung Berlin, with special support from the Senatskanzlei, and is being implemented as part of the digital and smart city strategy Gemeinsam Digital: Berlin. At the same time, we do not want to claim the Kiezlabor for ourselves exclusively, but would like to share it with other representatives from civil society, science and administration.
What will happen in 2024?
The Kiezlabor is continuing its 2024 tour and will once again make various Berlin neighbourhoods unsafe this year from May to October with its own program and focus topics. After a successful 2023, in which we got off to a flying start with five locations in districts such as Tempelhof-Schöneberg, Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg and Hellersdorf, 71 events and over 1,600 visitors, we are looking forward to new encounters, collaborations and exchanges with you! We will keep you up to date on the specific locations and program planning on this project page and in our newsletter.
Kiezlabor meets Kreuzberg
Under the motto ‘Berlin gärtnert’, the Kiezlabor will make Kreuzberg a little livelier from 4 to 7 September. Whether you have green fingers or not, there is something for everyone in the four-day programme. Berliners can help shape the future of the urban platform ‘Berlin gärtnert’ in a public workshop, learn more about gardening at readings or in the open-air cinema or get hands-on and learn how to compost in Berlin’s community gardens in workshops. Come and visit us!
Kiezlabor meets Pankow
From September 10th to October 4th, the courtyard of the library at the Water Tower in Pankow will be transformed into a vibrant Kiezlabor. Under the motto “Young in the Big City. Opening Spaces, Giving Spaces,” a place is being created here for young Berliners and all other interested individuals to actively shape urban quality of life. Whether through creative workshops, neighborhood walks, or open discussion rounds, there are numerous opportunities to exchange ideas, contribute your thoughts, and collectively create new spaces for young people in the city. Come by and help shape the future of Pankow!
Where is the Kiezlabor right now?
Schedule
Equipment and technology
Self-sufficient shipping container
The Kiezlabor is not only energy self-sufficient thanks to solar panels on the roof and doors and a built-in rechargeable battery and can therefore be used flexibly in different locations, but also comes with a kitchen including a water tank, sink, coffee machine, kettle and crockery.
Technology
We bring a lot of technology with us. In addition to a large 55-inch touch monitor visible from the outdoors for presentations, there is also a smaller 24-inch touch monitor and two tablets that can be flexibly attached inside or outside. Of course, there are microphones and speakers for presentations, fast internet and plenty of power sockets. If required, we can also bring VR glasses or a printer.
Workshop materials
From whiteboards and flipcharts to colourful pens and sticky notes in all colours. We always have everything the workshop heart could desire in our container.
Modular urban furniture
Between thirty and forty pieces of furniture are always available in the Kiezlabor, depending on the set-up scenario. This is made possible by our modular urban furniture made from crates, which can be fitted with either seats or table tops. This makes it possible to flexibly set up casual cinema seating or a workshop situation. If it gets particularly sunny, we have parasols at the ready and if the sun lets us down, there are rain capes for everyone in an emergency. For those who prefer to sit inside, we have six seats with a table inside.
Interactive exhibition
Depending on what exciting topics are currently available in the neighbourhood (Kiez), we bring along a customised interactive exhibition. Here, residents can use artificial intelligence to edit cityscapes according to their wishes, experience the city through the eyes of a child using a periscope or give their opinion on a relevant topic at a ‘candy machine’.
What happened so far:
At re:publica 2023, we tested the Kiezlabor in a beta version in front of an audience for the first time! For a fortnight, we stood near the festival site and wanted to create a meeting space for visitors on their way to the event and residents of the surrounding neighbourhoods. You can find all blog posts about our past locations under the video in our archive.
Archive of previous locations:
Oct2023
Our highlights from the Kiezlabor in Marzahn-Hellersdorf under the motto “Shaping the city together”.
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Jun2023
We were allowed to test our Kiezlabor during re:publica 2023 – here are our highlights!
→How can I participate?
Your organization, your company, your initiative and you are interested in working with us at one of the planned locations? You need an event space, a workshop opportunity or a meeting room during the time we are with you? You have an idea for a collaborative event in the Kiezlabor, where we work out solutions for Berlin together with residents?
At this site, we will publish the topics for each location in a timely manner. Feel free to contact us with suitable proposals for events, workshops, exhibitions, participation, etc. for a specific location. We will be looking forward to hearing from you!
Contact
Anne Kruse (Transformation Manager / Urban Development & Participation CityLAB Berlin)
Press
Anna Hantelmann (Senior Communications Manager Technologiestiftung Berlin)
Tel.: +49 151 18457 242
Pia Gralki (Team Lead Communications CityLAB Berlin)
Tel.: +49 175 6995 931
