"In the Field" at the Biesdorf Center

On Friday the 26th of September, we attended an event hosted by the “In the Field” project, hosted by the Greenman OPEN fund and our sister company, yes&, with the goal of creating vibrant social spaces within the retail centers we manage. Together with community partners for “Neighbourhood(s) of the Future”, a week-long initiative took place that invited local residents, schools and community groups to share how their local retail center can be a place for connection and collaboration.

During the week, over 500 students, 200 local residents and many local initiatives took part in workshops, garden building, community-led discussions and events that were held with local residents and school children to explore what the future of their neighbourhood looks like.

The week-long event ended with a panel discussion on Friday, with speakers such as:

• Katalin Gennburg
  Member of the Bundestag, The Left Party, constituency of Marzahn-Hellersdorf

• Camillo Kitzmann
  Chairman of the NABU district group

• Adam Page
  Artist team Hertzch & Page/ station urbaner kulturen nGbK Hellersdorf

• Andre Zweigert
  Director of the Biesdorf community centre

• Janosch
  Concern initiative of the centre

Many local residents took part in the public discussion, with the conversation focusing on responsibilities of the Biesdorf Center, GFORM as the property manager, as well as local initiatives and the neighbourhood itself. The aim of these open discussions is to turn the center into a place for shared learning and exchange and give the community a voice and to lay the groundwork for collaboration.

These initiatives are very important for our tenants and the community. Establishing social hubs offers a dedicated space for communities to come together, build relationships, and collaborate on shared goals. As property manager, we understand how important it is to invest in the local community as well as the property itself.