More space to linger - Parklets now also in Jena

They already exist in many cities: parklets. The green street furniture - the size of a car parking space - invites people to sit and linger in public spaces and thus promotes the quality of stay. Neugasse and Sophienstraße have now been selected as the first two parking spaces for the parklets - two locations that sometimes offer little or no public seating in the immediate vicinity.

The principle is simple: instead of a parked car, a wooden seat with planters takes its place.This is intended to break up the functional separation between places of relaxation, i.e. parks and green spaces, and places of urban traffic , i.e. streets and parking lots.

Mayor and Head of Urban Development and Environment Christian Gerlitz also sees this as an opportunity to create meeting places:

"We are excited to see how the parklets will be received in Jena and hope that this form of flexible seating will create more quality of stay at certain points. "

Anyone passing by should feel invited to linger or rest on the street furniture. The flexible use of the parklets is also interesting, as they can be set up at different locations as required.

The impetus for the construction of such parklets came from the city's sustainability strategy, among other things, but is also a frequently expressed wish of the citizens (e.g. participatory budgeting) for more greenery and seating in public spaces. The city of Jena will test this form of recreational area at the two locations in Neugasse and Sophienstraße from May to October 2023.

Evaluation of parklets during the European Mobility Week from 16-22.9.2023

Sophienstraße in Jena's Damenviertel district is also the focus of European Mobility Week, which takes place in Jena from September 16-22. Over several days, residents of the Damenviertel will be given the opportunity to rethink and use urban space through a traffic-calmed concept. The main event day is September 17. Here, associations, private initiatives and individuals as well as companies and businesses can present their ideas and implementation plans on the subject of mobility. The testing of the parklets, which will be accompanied by a survey, will also be evaluated during the mobility week. Depending on the success of the project, a decision will then be made on whether to purchase them permanently.

The contact address for the "European Mobility Week" is emw.2023@jena.de

Einweihung der Parklets in der Sophienstraße mit Bürgermeister Christian Gerlitz, Cornelia Förster vom Ortsteilrat Zentrum, Ulrike Zimmermann vom Fachdienst Mob