The City of Ulm plans to revitalize the district of Wiblingen and introduce positive change in the coming years. As an initial step towards broader and long-term urban transformation, a new community center is to be realized in the near future. Conceived as a central and public place, the building will offer spaces for learning and everyday activities to the surrounding schools while remaining open to all residents of the neighborhood. Envisioned as a social hub with diverse uses, user groups, and extended opening hours, the project already requires intensive negotiation processes already at the stage of assessing the general needs.
As part of the architectural programming process (Phase Null), future users—including school headmasters, teachers, and students from the three participating schools—worked together with the municipal departments of Education and Sports, Building Management, Social Affairs, and the City Library to develop a shared concept. Through a series of workshops and working groups, usage scenarios were developed and refined, and operational questions were discussed, all based on the framework conditions defined by the city. The process led to an integrated concept for a cafeteria, library, full-day learning spaces, and a neighborhood café.
The “Phase Null” process establishes the foundation for subsequent planning and decision-making stages. Needs are jointly identified with the future users, while spaces and functions are defined and adjusted, allowing the overall scope of the project to become clear.
At the same time, the process supports exchange and networking among the participating stakeholder groups. Individual interests are articulated, different perspectives are understood, and all contributions are brought together into a shared overall project. This creates the basis for successful future practices of sharing, participation, and collective use.
At the same time, the process supported the networking of the participating stakeholder groups. Participants articulated their own interests in relation to the project, developed an understanding of the perspectives of other groups, and integrated these into a shared overall concept. In doing so, the groundwork was laid for successful future practices of sharing, participation, and collective responsibility.
