A car-free Werderplatz – From idea to real-world experiment
So Werderplatz is set to become car-free in future – but what happens next?
As part of the ra:ve – Raum für Veränderung research project and the ‘Transformative Research in the Neighbourhood’ project seminar, we – Master’s students at the Institute for Regional Studies (IfR) – have explored this question and tested a partial scenario for a car-free Werderplatz.
In recent years, students from the IfR have already carried out research in the Südstadt district, whilst the local community has also been actively gathering ideas for Werderplatz. As a result, the seminar group had access to a wide range of data sets on which this project is based.
Six car parks reimagined
Following a preparatory phase lasting several weeks, during which we, the students of this year group, got to know the Südstadt district and collected data ourselves, the real-world experiment at Werderplatz got underway this summer!
Between 6 and 16 July 2026, we carried out trials at six car park spaces to explore how this space could be used differently and how these changes would affect Werderplatz as a public space in the Südstadt.
During the first few days of the real-world experiment, with the support of Urbane Gärten, we constructed various wooden street furniture elements on site at Werderplatz. The construction work on Werderplatz drew a great deal of attention to the project and attracted many interested onlookers and helping hands.
The students split into two groups, both during the seminar and during the construction phase, and focused on different aspects of the real-world experiment:
A space for socialising, playing and spending time
The ‘Seating’ group built various types of benches, side tables and a raised bed with an attached bin. This group’s focus was on finding out how (public) seating installed on a temporary basis is used and appropriated. The perspective here was that Werderplatz is a place that emerges through physical arrangements, everyday practices and perceptions.
The ‘Play and Creativity’ group built a seesaw, a wooden wall for painting, and a table which, whilst multifunctional, also had table tennis equipment attached to it. The aim was to test the extent to which playful elements have the potential to encourage versatile use of Werderplatz by different groups of people. In this way, opportunities for interaction and lingering were created to strengthen both participation and a sense of community. The ‘Play and Creativity’ group organised a painting session for Sunday, 12 July 2026, during which participants could paint the previously installed wooden wall and the other elements together. This event aimed to foster a positive feeling and a sense of connection to the real-world experiment and Werderplatz.
Furthermore, the ra:ve project team built two platforms with steps of varying heights, a ‘signpost’ and space for notices.
The research focus of both project groups was to explore how incentives for communal activities, free from the pressure to consume, can be created and utilised, and to what extent this can enhance the quality of the Werderplatz as a place to spend time.
On the final day of the construction phase, a small opening ceremony for our built elements and the experiment took place from 6 pm. During the opening ceremony, we made contact with interested members of the public and local residents and were already able to have many interesting conversations.
Empirical research: observing, interviewing, mapping
The empirical data collection period began on Thursday 9 July and lasted until 16 July 2026. We, the students, observed the furniture in shifts throughout the day in order to record how the intervention was being used at different times. During the intervention period, we used a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods to collect data to answer our research questions.
On the one hand, we conducted short narrative interviews with the people using our elements to gain detailed insights and different perspectives on the intervention as well as on Werderplatz.
Secondly, structured observations were carried out and documented. The observation logs recorded the conditions at Werderplatz at the respective time (weather, special events, etc.) and how many people were present at the intervention. In addition, we observed how the temporary elements at Werderplatz were used, rearranged or even deliberately avoided.
Furthermore, the section of the intervention at Werderplatz was mapped in detail using the ‘mapping’ method. All events relating to our intervention (use, interaction, changes, etc.) were marked on the map.
In addition, visitors were able to take part in an online survey via a QR code, which gave them the opportunity to express their views on the installed elements and the intervention anonymously.
What we have learnt: lessons and next steps
Ultimately, the intervention at Werderplatz was viewed positively by many people. We students had the opportunity to engage in many interesting conversations and gathered a range of opinions, suggestions and concerns. We thoroughly enjoyed not only preparing for future research projects theoretically at university, but also putting our ideas into practice on the ground and investigating how the repurposing of car parks affects both public spaces and the people using them.
As the next step, we will analyse the data collected during the coming winter term and subsequently make our experiences and findings available to the City of Karlsruhe for future planning and decision-making.
We are looking forward to the coming term and to gathering further insights and experiences regarding Werderplatz!
Incidentally, most of the street furniture will remain in the Südstadt district beyond the study period: we have donated the benches to the Children’s and Youth Centre, where they are welcome to be tried out in the courtyard.
Kind regards,
the students of the ‘Transformative Research in the Neighbourhood 2026’ project seminar
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