IBA Thuringia Schwarzatal

The picturesque valleys of Schwarzatal belonged to one of the most popular tourist areas in Germany for about two centuries. After the political turnaround of the 1990s, visitor numbers rapidly collapsed. This loss, combined with heavy migration and changes in the use of agriculture and forestry, has resulted in a general lack of care for the area’s cultural landscape. Against this background and the devastating demographic forecasts, a cooperative workshop process was launched to promote a “Resilient Schwarzatal”.

A24 devised a global development strategy that was substantiated through several pilot projects. The basis for the resiliency process is a variety of measures that build on regional traditions and promote local actors and value chains. Local, small-scale interventions and enhancements close gaps in the network while creating momentum. One example is the spatial intervention in the vicinity of the castle and cycle path, which makes the course of the Schwarza river more accessible by means of simple steps. This increases the value of what’s already there by raising residents’ quality of life and creating incentives for contemporary soft tourism.