Alina Czeczinski’s bachelor thesis “Urban Design Study: Public Spaces and Public Life”

Tags: bachelor thesis| Young Professionals| Public Spaces| Public Life| Bachelorarbeit

 

Alina Czeczinski is a graduate of the Retail Design program at the Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences and completed it with distinction in only five semesters.
In her bachelor thesis entitled “Urban Design Study: Public Spaces and Public Life”, the student deals with the conception, design and realization of scenarios for the revitalization of public spaces using the example of the Kirchplatz in the Friedrichstadt district of Düsseldorf.

„A good city is like a good party – people stay longer than really necessary, because they are enjoying themselves.“ Alina Czeczinski begins her bachelor’s thesis with this quote from architect and urban planner Jan Gehl. In her thesis, the student deals with the regeneration of public spaces. The project contributes to a positive urban development and is intended to strengthen the retail trade at the same time.

Alina Czeczinski has very successfully completed the bachelor’s degree program in Retail Design. With this degree program, the Peter Behrens School of Arts at Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences offers a combination of design and marketing that is unique in Germany. The interdisciplinary course combines design, architecture, communication, art and business. The VMM – Europäischer Verband Visuelles Marketing/Merchandising e. V. (European Association of Visual Marketing/Merchandising) – supports the establishment of this innovative course of study, which is designed to train the next generation of academics in design, communication and, above all, management skills. The combination of theory and practice also characterizes the course. Alina Czeczinski, for example, completed her internship semester in three companies, ranging from large corporations to consulting firms to start-ups, despite the shortened duration of her studies.

 
 
 
 

Public spaces are a constant topic of debate in the social sciences, architecture, urban planning and design. According to Alina Czeczinski, they are considered the basic framework of cities, are identity-forming and thus exert a considerable influence on public life in a city. But do the citizens of a city consciously perceive how they use public spaces? Do they often rush through squares because they do not invite them to linger? Do our city centers even have a future anymore?

The young designer explores these and other questions in her bachelor’s thesis. The regional reference of her work to the city of Düsseldorf is particularly important to the student. On the one hand, because she studies in Düsseldorf and lives in the immediate vicinity of the Kirchplatz, and on the other hand, because her research results are transferable to numerous public spaces in the city of Düsseldorf. One of many measures that the city and the retail sector can take to make the city center more attractive for visitors and potential customers is to help give places a more positive image. Alina Czeczinski first looks at the challenges facing cities, primarily Düsseldorf, and examines the functions of squares. She then conducts an extensive qualitative and quantitative usage study of the Kirchplatz in Düsseldorf, which reveals that its potential has not yet been fully exploited. The thesis answers the research question to what extent the Kirchplatz can contribute to addressing the challenges Düsseldorf is currently facing, in particular climate change, secularization and unused public resources. Against the background of the three megatrends Greenification, New Religion and Sharing Economy, the student designs scale models for the redesign of the Kirchplatz in response to the problems of cities and Düsseldorf respectively, in order to make it fit for the future.

 
 
 
 

For the presentation of the four models of the church square on a scale of 1:100 Alina Czeczinski creates an exhibition. In this exhibition, one model depicts the current state of the Kirchplatz, while the other three models each represent a scenario. At the beginning of the exhibition, the visitor takes the position of the architect and urban planner. “In many cases, architects plan the city on the drawing board without thinking about the users. My exhibition illustrates the comparison between an urban development from a bird’s eye view and such from the point of view of people,” comments the graduate. For a revitalization of the church square, she develops models based on the three megatrends, which are presented at eye level. “The state of research to date on the challenges of cities shows that people have increasingly become the focus of current urban planning. Thus, my work is guided by the attitude that public spaces are to be planned for people. To meet this demand, places need to be designed more attractively,” the student explains.

In the first model for the megatrend greenification, a place of retreat is created and at the same time an answer is given to the challenge of climate change. People are offered the opportunity for contemplation. Through elements that have already transformed other public spaces, such as Patrick Blanc’s vertical gardens in Paris or Tita Giese’s green traffic islands at Stresemannplatz in Düsseldorf, the church square gains attention. The relevance and topicality of the design idea of this model are moreover evident in the current projects of the city of Düsseldorf. Following the example of Amsterdam’s museum district, the new building at Gustaf-Gründgens-Platz, the Kö-Bogen II, also takes up the megatrend of greenification. Here, planters on the sloping surfaces will give the building a kind of second facade.

The second model for the megatrend New Religion deals with secularization in Düsseldorf. As a result of an increasing loss of importance of religion, the church, the square and the surrounding buildings are converted into a soccer stadium. In this way, the Kirchplatz with a size of about 13,000 square meters, thus larger than a soccer field, is made fully usable at any time. By profaning the church, the square will become a place of pilgrimage for followers of the substitute religion of sport. In addition, analogies between the church and soccer are shown.

 
 

 

By means of a glass replica of the building, i.e. one that is open to the outside, the third model on the megatrend of the sharing economy alludes to the loss of importance of religion and the resulting vacancy of more and more churches. In addition, the sectoral separation of Düsseldorf into culture, gastronomy, work and trade/services is illustrated. Despite location advantages, such as a large footprint as well as the central location in Friedrichstadt close to the city center, the area of the Kirchplatz remains a currently largely unused public resource. Also against the background of rising land prices in Düsseldorf, the model of the square will be fully transformed. In the process, the Kirchplatz is intended to unite the four sectors and bridge the gap to the city center. The retail designer explains, “With my project, I’m pursuing the intention of increasing the attractiveness of city centers.”

The aim of the three very different models is to make visible the city residents as users of public space to decision-makers . The university graduate, who is involved in university politics, adds: “It would be exciting to present the concept, design and realization of my bachelor’s thesis to the public. The different opinions of representatives of the city as well as the church, residents, citizens of Düsseldorf and retail businesses could provide further food for thought for the discussion about a more livable Düsseldorf.” The chaplain of St. Peter’s Church in Düsseldorf is very interested in the work and could be persuaded to visit the Werkschau, where the final projects of the design and architecture departments of the Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences are exhibited. Currently, possibilities are being examined to present the exhibition in the church and thus to the public. In addition, Alina Czeczinski is in contact with the city of Düsseldorf. To begin and also conclude this article with the words of Jan Gehl: “It’s best to live in cities for people.”

We are excited about the next step of the young designer and wish her all the best and continued success for her further path, both personally and professionally.

Through the measures listed above, the Kirchplatz becomes a more lively and open place that promotes the meeting as well as communication of people and invites them to linger. “My models are visions or even utopias and are intended to encourage people to think about their own city,” says Alina Czeczinski.

 

The aim of the three very different models is to make visible the city residents as users of public space to decision-makers . The university graduate, who is involved in university politics, adds: “It would be exciting to present the concept, design and realization of my bachelor’s thesis to the public. The different opinions of representatives of the city as well as the church, residents, citizens of Düsseldorf and retail businesses could provide further food for thought for the discussion about a more livable Düsseldorf.” The chaplain of St. Peter’s Church in Düsseldorf is very interested in the work and could be persuaded to visit the Werkschau, where the final projects of the design and architecture departments of the Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences are exhibited. Currently, possibilities are being examined to present the exhibition in the church and thus to the public. In addition, Alina Czeczinski is in contact with the city of Düsseldorf. To begin and also conclude this article with the words of Jan Gehl: “It’s best to live in cities for people.”

We are excited about the next step of the young designer and wish her all the best and continued success for her further path, both personally and professionally.

Concept and Design: Alina Czeczinskis

Location: Retail Design an der Hochschule Düsseldorf