#33 A HUUS FÜR D’LÜT – An Inclusive Space for Lustenau
What does an inclusive place for everyone look like? In the past summer semester, 19 students approached this complex question in close collaboration with the municipality of Lustenau, practice partners, and faculty from TU Wien, implementing a full-scale project in Vorarlberg – resulting in A HUUS FÜR D’LÜT.
In Episode #33, Larissa Benk speaks with Sywen Schmidt (Master in Spatial Planning), Felix Elsner (Master in Architecture), Lena Hohenkamp (ifoer TU Wien), Jan Gartner (Raumpioniere – Agency for Urban Makers), and Corinna Ebner-Trenker (Youth Coordinator, Municipality of Lustenau). Together, they discuss the advantages and challenges of placemaking projects; the involvement of young people in co-creative planning processes; what it takes for projects to remain active after implementation; and the role of social space analyses in spatial planning. They also share personal insights, reflecting on lessons learned and takeaways for future projects.
Sywen Schmidt studied political science at the University of Vienna and additionally completed a bachelor’s degree in spatial planning and regional development at TU Wien. She is currently deepening her knowledge in the corresponding master’s program and works as a student assistant at the Faculty of Architecture and Spatial Planning at TU Wien.
Felix Elsner completed his bachelor’s degree in architecture at Hochschule Wismar from 2019 to 2022. He then worked full-time at an architectural office in Hamburg from 2022 to 2023. Since 2023, he has been pursuing a master’s degree in architecture at TU Wien.
Jan Gartner is the founder and managing director of Raumpioniere, an agency that supports innovative projects in placemaking, tactical urbanism, urban development, and citizen participation. He studied spatial planning and regional development at TU Wien and brings his expertise to the development and implementation of sustainable, community-oriented urban spaces.
Corinna Ebner-Trenker is the youth coordinator for the municipality of Lustenau in Vorarlberg. In this role, she serves as a central contact point, aiming to provide needs-based services and support for young people. She also acts as an information hub for all stakeholders. She places particular emphasis on creativity, sustainability, and community, integrating these priorities into her work. With a focus on participation and co-determination, she initiates projects together with the open child and youth work in Lustenau, local associations, initiatives, and partners, implementing them collaboratively with young people. The ideas, suggestions, and wishes of the youth are at the center of her work.
Lena Hohenkamp has been a research associate at the Department of Local Spatial Planning at the Faculty of Architecture and Spatial Planning at TU Wien since 2022. Her dissertation focuses on tactical urbanism and placemaking from a care perspective, examining related questions of appropriation, care, and social responsibility.
Larissa Benk studied urban and spatial planning as well as architecture at the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt from 2019 to 2023 and began her master’s in spatial planning and regional development at TU Wien in October 2023. She gained professional experience through several student assistant positions in Erfurt and an internship in Munich. Since 2024, she has been working at the Department of Local Spatial Planning, supporting the team in teaching and administration.
Credits – Episode #33
Concept and hosting: Larissa Benk and Lena Hohenkamp
Recording, audio, and editing: Larissa Benk and Lena Hohenkamp
Photo credits: Katrin Hagen
ZUKUNFT STADT Podcast – Production:
Lukas Bast, Larissa Benk, Lisa-Marie Kramer, Lena Hohenkamp, Madlyn Miessgang, and Nico Schleicher
Intro music: Jakob Kotal
The podcast ZUKUNFT STADT is a project of the Faculty of Architecture and Spatial Planning at TU Wien. It is produced through a collaboration between the future.lab and the Department of Local Spatial Planning at TU Wien.