ABSTRACT

The third scene, observed in Leipzig, shows the results of green space projects in urban voids. In Leipzig, the symbolic city of Germany’s shrinking cities where the greatest population loss was recorded after reunification, the re-naturalisation project became the urban material with which the administration tried to normalise the shrinking process. By introducing traditional urban park projects, forms of sharing and urban forestation processes, the numerous urban voids that emerged from the progressive perforation of the city following the demolition processes of the housing and industrial heritage were rethought. Yet, today Leipzig is also the fastest growing city in Germany, which has strongly questioned the survival and intent of the re-naturalisation experiences. In fact, on the one hand, the re-urbanisation processes under way today have eroded and densified some re-naturalisation areas. On the other hand, the presence of green spaces has initiated gentrification or has led to public space subtraction and weakening. Although the projects of urban voids have represented a comprehensive socio-cultural and ecological opportunity for Leipzig in the last 30 years, the logic of capital accumulation and design hypertrophy have prevailed in the model of urban development that has subtracted or distorted the character of urban voids.