On Tuesday, June 16, 2020, the Creative Space of the Social Innovation Lab of the Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society (HWG LU) opened its doors and presented the project and its premises to the public.
After the coronavirus-related delays, the time had finally come yesterday: HWG LU's "Social Innovation Lab" project presented itself and its "Creative Space" to the public in Ludwigshafen's city center. In future, this new seminar and creative space at the university will primarily be used to work on education and research projects on so-called "social innovations" in the fields of business and society. The Creative Space offers space for groups of 25 to a maximum of 50 people when seated in rows. Opening up to urban society is an important part of the program.
How do we want to live in the future? How do we want to move from A to B? How should the city change so that we feel more comfortable in it? Or more specifically: How can young women be inspired for IT so that the development of AI is not left to male ideas alone? How can the Bürgerhof be developed into a place of encounter and learning? - These and many other questions will be discussed here in future with students, representatives of regional companies and social organizations as well as the city's population, and possible solutions will be developed together. Health, sustainability and reducing inequalities are important key topics.
"We see ourselves as an interface between the public, the university and companies, we take up ideas and match them with university lecturers or student groups, for example," explained Imke Buß, project developer and head of the university's departments of studies and education, during one of the five guided tours of the new premises at Bismarckstr. 55. This bright room, which is around 130 square meters in size and has a wide window front facing the pedestrian zone, offers the ideal setting for the further development of these ideas with the involvement of urban society: "It is divided into two parts: In the front area with its high tables, bar stools, pin boards and flipcharts, flexible working in ever-changing settings is possible. In the rear section, with its workbench, large dining table and kitchenette, there is space for creative model set-ups or brainstorming sessions with cooking and eating together," explained project coordinator Marie Kammler, who designed the conversion of the former "Foto Porst" and provided active support from the university's facilities team.
Even though there have already been two creative meetings, one real and one virtual, in the run-up to the opening, the Creative Space will experience its first real practical test next week with a group of students from the Master's degree course in Social Work: "I am particularly looking forward to this first group work in this great space after many weeks of virtual teaching," said Prof. Dr. Ellen Bareis, Professor of Sociology and Social Exclusion and Participation, who, as Vice President for Studies and Education, Quality Management and Arts and Culture, is responsible for the Social Innovation Lab in the university management.
Text: Wassmann Photos: Kammler
