City Flaneurs travel to Berlin
Ηι! We are Maria Kalogeropoulou, Alexandra Koroxenidi, Chris Ntabakakis and Evi Stoubou or in other words “City Flaneurs” and we are part of Athens Co-Creation City Branding Project.
We just completed our trip in four smart cities in America and we move on our own continent, Europe to learn about a model city campaign, Be Berlin!
It all started in Berlin in 2008 when the need for Berlin to become a more attractive place to live and work at was born. But what problems did the city face? To begin with, it lacked a clear and distinctive profile. The city created its own campaign to solve this problem.
The first step involved setting up the goals.
- Define the features of Berlin more clearly!
- Create a strong image!
- Attract entrepreneurs, artists, scientists, investors!
- Enrich the dynamic of the city and its potential for the future!
- Transform Berlin’s strenghts into opportunities!
- Let Berliners speak themselves on behalf of their city!
When your target is clearly defined, success is near at hand.
To meet its targets, the BeBerlin Campaign initiated the following steps:
- Involving the citizens. Creating a sense of identity for them, a sense of belonging and pride for their city
- Building social cohesion and a collective identity by bringing the citizens of Berlin in contact with one another and making them the “ambassadors” of the city.
- Involving established people in all fields
- Going international and bridging ties with other coutries
- Extroverted an international perspective. Reaching out and communicating ideas. Starting off from a confident point of view and from clear ideas.
- Utilizing visuals and creating everyday experiences. Organizing temporary events and platforms.
- Looking into the future. Stressing change. Proclaiming Berlin as the city of change.
In the year 2016, the results of the BeBerlin campaign became apparent. Today, Berlin is considered to be one of the most inspiring, creative, liveable, international and booming cities worldwide.
As City Flaneurs, we are wondering if and to what extent the paradigm could be implemented in the city of Athens ? Could Athens become the new Berlin? The study of the BeBerlin campaign inspired us and gave birth to some ideas for Athens that will be introduced to you in a newer post. Stay tuned!
Click here to check our classroom presentation for be Berlin project!
Click here to travel with us to Liverpool!