Summer University 2025: Community in the focus of the Friedberg town church

Summer University 2025: Community in the focus of the Friedberg town church

In Friedberg this summer the topic of “community spirit” is very important. The 2025 summer university starts on June 28th in the Friedberg town church, which is organized by the town church support association and the Protestant parish. The high-quality lectures are a real highlight for anyone interested in dealing with the important topic of community building. The lecture series includes seven exciting dates that take place on Saturdays at 5 p.m. in the choir of the city church. The start will be organized by Prof. Elmar Schlüter from the Liebig University of Gießen, who will focus on the “forms, functions and questionable aspects” of community spirit.

But what does “community spirit” actually mean? This is where a fundamental question comes into play: How do we encourage social interaction in our communities? According to an analysis by stadtplanunglebensqualitaet.de, public spaces such as train stations, market squares and parks are crucial for coexistence. They act as meeting places for a wide range of age groups and social classes and can therefore strengthen an inclusive society. Cleverly designed play and sports areas as well as comfortable seating are essential in order to appeal to as many people as possible and invite them to linger.

A wide range of topics

The upcoming summer university lectures will shed light on various facets of community spirit. The second lecture, given by Dr. Christian Holl on July 12th will offer thoughts on public space, while Prof. Dieter Katzenbach from Goethe University will focus on inclusion on July 19th. On another date, July 26th, Prof. Christiane Tietz, President of the Evangelical Church in Hesse and Nassau, will talk about how we can stay in conversation to promote community spirit.

It is particularly interesting to look at the social mix in our neighborhoods, which has been called for repeatedly since the 1990s. The aim of these measures is to create diversified population structures. According to Giersch Magazin's model, a mixed neighborhood - in which tradesmen live next to academics and families live next to singles - can lead to social stability and well-being. The aspects of integration and security also play a significant role here.

Challenges and opportunities

An unresolved question in the planning of public spaces remains how we can maintain social justice even as real estate prices rise. The risk of gentrification, in which lower-income residents are pushed out, is omnipresent. This undesirable development shows how important it is to maintain a balance between attractiveness and accessibility when designing public spaces. According to the study results from stadtplanunglebensqualitaet.de, it must be prevented that the upgrading of districts only benefits landlords and investors, while less advantaged citizens are pushed into the shadows.

In conclusion, it can be said that the summer university in Friedberg not only offers a platform for education and discussion, but is also an important step towards an inclusive society. By reflecting on community spirit and thinking about how we can design our homes and living spaces, we ensure that future generations can live in a harmonious and just community. Find out about the interesting series that starts on June 28th and attend the lectures in the Friedberg town church!

For further information, you can find the event details on the FNP website as well as the article about social integration on stadtplanunglebensqualitaet.de and the discussion about social mixing Read Giersch Magazin.