A place to B(z)
Citizens’ Initiative for Placemaking in Bolzan
A Place to B(z) is a transformative citizens’ initiative dedicated to bringing new life to our spaces, inspiring creativity, and empowering the local community.
Our mission is to transform the area behind Bolzano’s train station into a lively space for independent culture and an incubator for fresh ideas. We envision this space as a dynamic hub for citizen-driven projects and a place where the community comes together.
Together with associations, initiatives, local organisations, creatives and citizens from different fields, we are building a platform for connection and collaboration. We want to bring different people and ideas together and create space for things that might not happen elsewhere.
We believe that the city belongs to everyone. That’s why we want this project to stay open, accessible and shaped by many voices. By giving people the space and opportunity to take part, we can create a new story for this neighbourhood. Together, we can create a more inclusive, active and participatory city.
Come join us, bring your ideas and help shape what comes next!
OUR PAST EVENTS
GET IN CONTACT
We are always happy to hear from you! If you want to join our initiative, you need more information or you have a great idea and want to collaborate, please write to us. We are here for you in German, Italian and English. The easiest way to get in contact is via mail or on Instagram:
OUR CURRENT PROJECTS
The City is Your Living Room!
The public spaces of the city are more than just physical locations – they can be vibrant hubs of community life, where people come together and feel like they belong. These spaces should be accessible to all and actively welcome everyone to participate in shaping life in our city together.
This City was not Designed for You!
Too often, our cities are not designed around the many different needs of the people who live in them. Many inner cities are grey wastelands, with very limited green spaces. This contributes to urban heat, noise and air pollution. Spaces for community life are missing as the focus is placed on consumerism and tourism, causing big accessibility issues. Too many public spaces feel unwelcoming. There may not be enough seating, shade, public toilets or drinking water. Too often, the only way to enjoy a space is to spend money, effectively putting a price on access to places that belong to all of us. When public spaces are overregulated, they can feel disconnected and exclusive. Residents have little opportunity to shape them or decide what happens there. And, frankly, there is often simply nothing interesting to do.
Community-Driven Culture can be the Heart of Our City.
We believe that public spaces are essential to community life. They can bring people together, connect local initiatives and create a stronger sense of belonging. We can shape these spaces to make it easy for people to meet, spend time together and get involved. When public spaces feel welcoming and accessible, more people can take part and feel that they have a place in the life of their city. Vibrant and inclusive public spaces can also become places where creativity and independent local culture can grow. They give people room to experiment, share ideas and turn those ideas into reality. Public spaces can be the heart and soul of our community.
Let’s Reclaim Our Public Spaces!
You have a right to the city, to participate and shape its design. Our parks, piazze, sidewalks, and streets are meant to be shared spaces that belong to all of us to enjoy. We want to empower residents to become part of the change. It’s time to transform our public spaces into vibrant, lively, and community-driven places that foster connection, participation, and civic pride. Together, we can create public spaces that truly enrich our lives and contribute to the well-being of our communities and foster local, independent culture.
Learn more about our Work
