Workshop report:a social-ecological centreas a laboratory for a green(urban) landscape

At the interface between the question of social justice and a reaction to the climate crisis, the idea of a social-ecological centre (sozial-ökologisches Zentrum, SÖZ) for Dortmund emerged. Mila Ellee and Florian Heinkel reported on the founding circumstances of the still young initiative in the workshop they led during the Festival of Landscape: The SÖZ emerged as an idea for the local elections in autumn 2020, from the merger of various initiatives in Dortmund, e.g. the Harbour Initiative, the Fridays for Future Movement Dortmund and the collective “Dortmund von Unten”. It is based on demands for an “Independent Centre Dortmund” – an idea that first emerged in the noughties.

In fact, independently of the activities of the initiatives, the city council of Dortmund had already decided to support an SÖZ in Dortmund with space offers after a proposal by the CDU and the Greens. The SÖZ should address the pressing ecological and social issues of our time, provide space for discourse, but also offer the opportunity to actively and energetically help shape the future of the city and the surrounding neighbourhood with small-scale experiments.

Unfortunately, it has not yet been possible to find a suitable property. Some requirements have already been determined, for example, there is a great desire for the possibility of hosting non-commercial music events; in addition, meeting possibilities are to be created in order to provide the active people with a basis for their community-oriented work.

The second half of the workshop was dedicated to the development of ideas and requirements for use. By means of a Miro board, space utilisations for the still fictitious property were collected together. Among other things, the participants expressed the desire for rehearsal and work spaces, as well as the need for non-commercial flea and barter markets. It seemed important to all that the SÖZ should have a kitchen where people could cook together. The outdoor area was given special weight in the discussion. As an ecological project, the SÖZ should definitely have a community garden – also to get in better contact with people from the neighbourhood. This is the only way to realise the desire to be embedded in the neighbourhood.

At the moment, the initiative is still in the founding phase. The core group of about 20 people meets regularly (currently digitally) and is always open to people who want to get involved in the development of the SÖZ. The SÖZ should be easily accessible by public transport in Dortmund – space ideas and suggestions are also very welcome!

Contact via soez-do@riseup.net / Instagram: soez.dortmund / Twitter: @soez_dortmund

Text: Jan Bunse/Mila Ellee
Picture: Initiativkreis SÖZ

At the interface between the question of social justice and a reaction to the climate crisis, the idea of a social-ecological centre (sozial-ökologisches Zentrum, SÖZ) for Dortmund emerged.