Context
Giessen is an important centre for culture, art and science with a population of around 95,000 and a catchment area of around half a million people. The university city offers a wide range of cultural activities, including theatres, cultural centres, museums and various events, concerts and festivals. As the city of Giessen's previous event site in Schiffenberger Tal will no longer be available in future, a new venue is needed. The ‘Atzelbusch’ site was identified as a potential festival site following a preliminary assessment by the city of Giessen. A feasibility study was to be carried out in order to examine the general conditions and potential of the previously undeveloped site as a festival location and then to assess its feasibility.
Approach
A comprehensive feasibility study with a participatory utilisation concept was developed for the potential ‘Atzelbusch’ festival site. Interviews were first conducted with relevant stakeholders and involved authorities in order to record the framework conditions at the content, operational, planning and construction levels. A joint inspection of the site, analyses of the current use and expert assessments, e.g. on the impact of noise, supplemented the basic research. An analysis of relevant best practice examples as well as a market and competition analysis were carried out in order to derive important requirements for a future festival site and to assess the competitive situation for event venues in the Giessen area. Interviews with users and event organisers were used to identify specific event potential and requirements for a new event venue in Giessen. Possible operating models were identified and evaluated, and the framework conditions for the use of the site were specified and utilisation concepts developed. A workshop event was of central importance for the development of utilisation scenarios: in three working groups, event organisers developed construction scenarios for the site, which were then jointly presented and discussed in order to identify preparatory construction measures on the site in a next step. Finally, a cost and financing overview summarised the jointly developed measures and defined a time sequence to support further implementation planning. Finally, information was provided on the next steps in the realisation of the project, including possible risks and potential influencing factors. This structured approach enabled the feasibility and potential success factors of the ‘Atzelbusch’ festival site to be comprehensively assessed.
Added Value
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The participatory utilisation concept makes it possible to incorporate the needs of local residents and event organisers directly into the planning process, creating a comprehensive picture of requirements and strengthening trust in urban planning processes.
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The feasibility study takes planning law and construction aspects into account in order to ensure sustainable and future-oriented development of the site, which contributes to long-term urban development by involving experts and analysing best practice.
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The structured project approach with interviews, workshops and expert assessments minimises risks and increases the likelihood that the project can be successfully implemented and operated sustainably. The feasibility study provides a transparent decision-making basis for the next steps.
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Das Projekt was realised by Rebecca Heinzler, architect, Michaela Herrmann, consultant und Frank Schellenberg, managing partner.