Mobile Gärten – Nachhaltige Begegnungsorte

Gartenfest

How can cities become greener, more community-oriented, and more livable? This is the question addressed by the Mobile Gardens project, which is being developed by students in the Product Design Department at the Brüder Grimm Berufsakademie Hanau (BGBA Hanau – University of Cooperative Education) as part of the World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026.

At the heart of the project is the idea of mobile, flexible community gardens that enable new forms of gathering in public spaces. In light of increasing urban density, climate change, and social isolation, the Mobile Gardens are low-threshold spaces that facilitate encounters and shared experiences of nature. Citizens are actively involved through planting activities and discussions about plant knowledge.

The project will launch with a public garden festival on Friday, June 19, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the Walloon-Dutch Church in Hanau. The festival offers a glimpse into the student projects „Grüne Pause – Warten im Grünen“ and„Stadtoase“ and invites visitors to experience and discuss sustainable urban development together through hands-on activities, conversations, and music.

"Mobile gardens demonstrate how design can bring people together. A simple green space becomes a place for encounters, exchange, and collective action—exactly what a livable city needs,” explains Professor Kai Linke.

The project's partners are the BWMK, Grün&Grün, and the Kathinka Platzhoff Foundation. The project is part of the official program of World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026.