Sharing a space is a political act. Inclusive urban space is an essential part of democracy, because democracy is not simply the representation of the population and their different worldviews in parliament, and decision-making by majority vote. It only functions when people of…
Sharing a space is a political act. Inclusive urban space is an essential part of democracy, because democracy is not simply the representation of the population and their different worldviews in parliament, and decision-making by majority vote. It only functions when people of all levels meet.
This new town hall acts as a community hub or rather a community club house. It is a space for citizens to act out democracy alongside their elected officials and perhaps grab a coffee, do yoga, go to a market, or see a show while doing it.
All users are placed on an equal footing. So citizens and politicians must cooperate in using the space. Politics is just one of the many activities that take place in this town hall; you can learn, relax, create, demonstrate, or simply do nothing. Through intensive use, over-programming, and spontaneous encounters with different types of people you wouldn't normally meet, new connections are formed, and boundaries blur.
The building also represents trust, which visitors likely sense as they walk through one of these entrances into the atrium without encountering security or a check-in desk. The atrium functions as a city square, serving as a flexible place for many different public and social gatherings. Such a market, carnival, sports, celebration and many more, some we can’t even think of right now
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The building is a series of volumes with defined programs centered around the large atrium. These volumes house various public and non public programs, including offices, council chambers, a public cafe, kindergarten, civilian council room, and a conference hall.
A crucial feature of the space is its multi-use. The town hall is no longer a rigid institution but rather a shared space, capable of serving different purposes at different times of the day, from citizen gatherings to cultural events. For example, the council chamber doubles as a theatre, and public affairs functions as an art gallery, displaying contemporary work from the town. On the top floor, you can find the civic hall and a public cafe and restaurant. From floor to floor, there are no barriers, with public access to everything except the offices of the civil servants.
These volumes are organised in such a way that they leave generous negative space, creating public areas throughout all levels of the building. This design provides the public with various types of public spaces: a large atrium with a high ceiling, areas with lower ceilings, rooftop patios, spaces to accommodate hobbies, dance, sports, relaxation, and celebration—everything imaginable for public life.
In this new town hall a new component is introduced, known as deliberative democracy, embodied in citizen assemblies.The citizen assemblies are established through weighted lotteries, ensuring equal opportunities for participation.
This isn’t about debating but engaging in dialogue. Diverse viewpoints are embraced, yet the objective is to find common ground and solutions. These citizen assemblies address matters that impact the entire populace. Success depends on a bottom-up approach that needs input, ideas, engagement, and decision-making. This paves the way for a brand of politics that surpasses party boundaries and get broad societal support.
Imagine a town hall where you’re not just welcomed to fill out paperwork or pick up a passport, but to celebrate, protest, look at art, do yoga, and see culture, right alongside your elected officials. This new town hall is a place to engage the public, a place to create new rituals, a place to act out democracy, a place where you can learn and perhaps take a dancing class.
