Pretty in wood -
Street furniture enhances
Herrenstraße

City marketing and retail embellish planters with local woods

Small cause, big effect: in the joint effort to make Karlsruhe's city center more attractive and fit for the future, sometimes minor changes are enough to make a difference - if the right idea is there.

This was the idea of the retailers in Herrenstraße to upgrade their inner-city shopping district and increase the quality of stay for visitors. Since the beginning of August 2023, the planters in front of the stores on Herrenstraße have been adorned with sheaths made of light-colored local wood, which not only enhance their appearance but also serve as seating during a shopping trip. No new street furniture had to be purchased for the new appearance of Herrenstraße; instead, the existing planters were upgraded sustainably and efficiently.

"The wraps are a good example of active cooperation between the local stakeholders in the neighborhoods and the city: brainstorming, financing, tendering, coordination and implementation took place in close cooperation and with great support from both sides," says Dennis Fischer, Head of City Marketing at KME Karlsruhe Marketing und Event GmbH.

The cladding was designed by the Karlsruhe office "Raumszene" in close cooperation with KME and the retailers. KME is financing the cladding and thus making a contribution to neighborhood development in line with the activities of the "City Transformation" funding project.

In the area of neighborhood marketing, KME bundles various measures that are supported by the "City Transformation" funding project and its own project funds. The aim is to develop neighborhood-specific and target group-oriented measures together with local stakeholders in order to positively influence footfall.