Creatively developing roofscapes together
City of Chemnitz is a partner in European network for the utilisation of roof surfaces
Square kilometres of public urban space lie fallow in Europe's densely populated regions: roofscapes are often not yet adequately present in the public consciousness as a resource for urban development planning. To change this, organisations in nine European cities have joined forces. The city of Chemnitz is one of the founding members of the network, which is funded by the Creative Europe programme until 2024. Other partners are working in Amsterdam, Antwerp, Barcelona, Belfast, Faro, Gothenburg, Nicosia and Rotterdam on the creative development of rooftops.
The cities want to work together to open up European roofscapes for potential uses. As the European Creative Roof Network (ECRN), they show how creative approaches involving roof surfaces can be used to overcome the social, economic and ecological challenges facing cities in Europe.
The roofscape of Chemnitz was created during various phases of intensive industrial-cultural development of the urban space and also features a number of pioneering and experimental roof constructions. In their forms and specific requirements, these roof surfaces offer a wide range of possibilities for creative and sustainable conversions and new uses. It is therefore obvious that this urban space reserve, which is currently still (too) underdeveloped, should be made accessible as a field of experimentation for innovations in the area of roof development. Thanks to the intensive working relationships and the "ideas exchange" within the ECRN umbrella network, Chemnitz can share findings on the special features of its roof landscape with partner organisations across Europe and gain insight into solutions that have already been put into practice.
On 1 December 2021, the partner organisations met in Antwerp on the publicly accessible roof of the MAS - Museum am Strom. The nine cities in the network deliberately represent different urban cultures and different planning approaches under different climatic conditions. Nevertheless, they are united by the conviction that the similarities of the European roofscape form the basis of a common cultural heritage and that forward-looking solutions to urban planning challenges can be found through the exchange of experience and transfer of knowledge.
Further information
Contact person City of Chemnitz:
Anely Jeromin
0371/488 4109
anely.jeromin(at)stadt-chemnitz.de
European Creative Rooftop Network:
Nikki Kamps