Photo Gallery A Successful Transformation
After German reunification, the eastern German city of Jena was left with ugly gray heating pipes running through the heart of the city. Many wanted to get rid of them. But an architecture student from the Bauhaus University in nearby Weimar suggested transforming them into something people might like. Dana Kurz's proposal was accepted and she has spent several years improving the pipes. This section was painted in 2007.
Kurz has also got the local community involved with several projects. Here, locals help decorate a section of the pipes.
But decoration has only been one part of the project. A cycling path has been built along the pipes, quiet resting spots have been created and stages for musical performances have been set up. This section is called the "Golden Gate."
This year, Kurz is setting up a "living room" in one section, complete with a large, concrete couch. This image shows an artist's rendering of what it will eventually look like.
