Blog post - 11. Nov 2025

At the youth café in the Old Gasometer, the four winners of the “Die spinnen, die Zwickauer” (The crazy people of Zwickau) ideas competition, which was launched as part of the Viele Wege Festival 2026, presented their projects to Mayor Constance Arndt. The competition was first announced in April and offers people from Zwickau the opportunity to contribute creative ideas for shaping their city. The aim was to raise awareness of civic engagement and encourage participation in urban development processes. The winners were announced at the Pulverturm Café in early September.

Now the participants were able to present their visions once again in an open and lively atmosphere. The presentations took place in a relaxed setting with drinks and snacks. Janina Unger kicked things off with her idea for upgrading the Schwanenteich area. Her concept envisions revitalizing the popular park with new seating areas, small stages, and cultural activities. Franziska Rauscher, the winner of the competition, then presented the “Lebendige Wände” (Living Walls) project, which aims to beautify the city with artistic graffiti and create space for creative expression.

Rene Reimann presented his vision of an outdoor pool in Mulde that could offer Zwickau residents a natural and affordable place to swim and relax during the summer months. Michael Berger concluded the event and received the audience award for his idea of so-called deposit rings. These devices on trash cans are intended to facilitate the collection of deposit bottles and at the same time contribute to waste prevention.

Mayor Arndt was open and interested in all of the projects. She praised the participants’ commitment and emphasized the importance of such ideas for a vibrant urban society. The first steps towards implementation have already been taken. The city is reviewing potential suppliers for the deposit rings and is contacting the Landestalsperrenverwaltung (State Dam Administration) to examine the outdoor pool idea. For the “Living Walls” graffiti project, a sports club has also agreed to collaborate on designing a large-scale mural.

The ideas competition highlights the importance of participation and co-creation in Zwickau. The Alte Gasometer sees itself as a platform that brings together creative ideas and encourages people to engage in dialogue. The projects presented show that commitment and a sense of community can achieve a great deal. The Alte Gasometer thus remains a place where ideas grow and thoughts are transformed into concrete steps toward an open, diverse, and livable city.