Photo Gallery Saving Shrinking Cities
Eastern Germany has seen its cities shrink since the fall of the Berlin Wall as people leave to find work elsewhere. But now a state-sponsored project, the International Building Exhibition (IBA) suggests that "city islands," urban green zones and huge outdoor art could be part of the solution.
The greening of Dessau: Since Germany was reunified in 1990, the town of Dessau, in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, has shrunk more than almost any other municipality in the land. The IBA suggests "inserting countryside."
Ruins in the town of Wittenberg: These will eventually be turned into a culture center.
The city of Magdeburg is turning towards its waterways. The former commercial harbor is finding new life as a "Science Port," with a Fraunhofer Institute and a Max Planck Institute both based here.
A skatepark in the center of Halle-Neustadt.
Finding potential in empty rooms: In Halberstadt this swimming pool is being used for cultural and artistic events.
A new center for Stassfurt: Locals like the idea of bringing nature back into the empty cities.
A school project invoving architecture in Naumburg: "With this redevelopment Saxony-Anhalt is a pioneer within Germany. We have been through things that other regions have yet to face -- even if they don't want to believe it," says the IBA head.
A library for homeopathy in Köthen: After German reunification in 1990, whole industrial sectors collapsed, leaving locals without the means of making a living. People simply moved away. Köthen is now focusing on its historical connections to homeopathy.
Renovated apartments in Sangerhausen: When it comes to privately owned buildings there are often difficult negotiations before demolition.
Where demolition is unavoidable in Aschersleben, there are huge pieces of contemporary art, as big as houses.
