A Climate-Friendly City Centre

The German-Polish twin city of Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, and Słubice, Poland, is working hand in hand with local residents to develop a concept for a climate-friendly city centre. And since good food often inspires good ideas, the city invited citizens to cross-border picnics — complete with expert inputs and themed tables where a shared vision began to take shape. Topics included mobility, urban development, and the design of the riverside promenade.

The results of this participatory process, carried out under the banner of Common Ground – Shaping Across Borders, are already visible. On both sides of the border, so-called “citizen tables” have been installed — large public tables with seating for up to 20 people, designed for community gatherings and small workshops. In Słubice, residents also planted greenery on a public square to enhance its quality as a place to spend time. Structural issues, such as the development of a cross-border mobility concept, are now being taken further — including plans for a second bridge to ease border traffic.