Bringing Soul Back to Forgotten Towns: The Kleinstadtladys' Crusade for Change
Rejuvenation of Saxony thanks to Female Power: "The region is experiencing a resurgence"
By Lisa Marie Peisker
In the face of decay, four trailblazers rise. Meet the intrepid ladies of Kleinstadtladys—revitalizing their towns and fostering a new lease of life.
Borna, a once-vibrant Saxon town now masked by the cloak of decay, is a stark reminder of the timeworn German cities limping into the future. As we explore the ZDF investigative reportage, "Am Plus," Christian Sievers examines the undeniable decline that has swallowed these urban centers.
Money's tight in Borna. Its drab, gray appearance is a far cry from the pulsating Leipzig—only thirty kilometers away. Empty shops, abandoned buildings, and the lifeless streets are tell-tale signs of a town clinging to life by a thread.
But the Kleinstadtladys refuse to accept this fate. The ladies decided to stake their claim—on a mission to inject new life into their town.
"We're not all about consumption," thinks Anne Teichmann, one of the founding members, "it's about creating meaningful experiences." From book exchanges to small concerts, social get-togethers over drinks, and scrumptious bites, these ladies are always dreaming up ways to engage their community.
Locals are thrilled with their efforts. "Life is coming back to the town," a local beams with joy.
The "Plus" in "Am Plus": Calculating Solutions for Revival
Extending beyond the borders of Borna lies Ludwigshafen am Rhein, a once-proud industrial city now shouldering the title "Ugliest City in Germany."
The debt isn't unwarranted. Everywhere you look, you'll find construction sites, barriers, and vacancies. However, the city's Mayor, Jutta Steinruck, approaches the title with a measure of skepticism.
"It's where the money's made and spent in the prettier cities," Steinruck explains. Slated to address the issue, the mayor finds herself at a crossroads between progress and costs. Citing budget constraints, she argues that cutting corners to improve the city's appearance might compromise the quality of life, ultimately designating Ludwigshafen as the embodiment of urban decay.
TV Insights: Tune in to ZDF on Monday at 7:20 PM or catch the "Am Plus" reportage, "How do we save our cities? - Life instead of emptiness!" in the mediathek now.
Though the details about the Kleinstadtladys and their impact on Borna remain scant, such grassroots efforts highlight a nationwide trend toward community-led urban revitalization. Focusing on community engagement, entrepreneurial spirit, and creative urban development, teams like these ladies from Borna are the vanguard in resuscitating small town centers and revitalizing communal spaces.
The ladies of Kleinstadtladys are not just about consumption; they strive to create meaningful experiences, transforming their home-and-garden, the town of Borna, into a gathering place for its inhabitants. In a similar vein, lifestyle initiatives in Ludwigshafen am Rhein, such as promoting community engagement and creative urban development, may hold the key to bringing life back to this once-proud, now struggling town.
