Initiatives of the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft
In the Cross Innovation Lab 2024, researchers from the Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY and HAW Hamburg joined forces with creative experts to combine basic research with creative approaches for the first time. The result: an oasis that combines research, education and spending time in public spaces.
According to a study, climate change is not a tangible concept for almost 20% of young people in Germany. Researchers from DESY and experts from the pool of creatives tackled this problem and developed the SOLR pilot project over several weeks. The different ways of thinking and working of the two disciplines led to a unique solution that combines sustainability, education and innovation.
SOLR (Sustainable Oasis for Learning and Recharge) revolutionises sustainability education through an innovative gamification approach: users charge their mobile phones for free at a solar station - in return, they take part in a quiz on environmental topics. Covering an area of 5.5 square metres, the station generates environmentally friendly electricity and also acts as a public meeting point and advertising platform for sustainable products. SOLR also offers DESY the opportunity to test future technologies. Using AI-supported technology, the pilot project raises awareness of environmental protection and offers practical benefits at the same time. The result from research and the creative industry forms an innovative bridge and proves that creative people are important sources of inspiration for science.
In theCross Innovation Lab, companies come together in changing constellations over a period of six weeks to work together on product developments in a stimulating environment. Experts from the creative industries are specifically involved in the process
Field research: At the beginning, the challenges of the companies are analysed in a new kind of depth in collaboration with creative professionals - and their fresh perspective from the outside
Workshop phase: In a total of four workshop/lab days, the companies develop new solutions together with selected creative professionals
Feedback loops: Between the labs, a concept review takes place with all participating companies in order to further improve the products through joint feedback and exchange
In the iterative work process, companies develop new products or product adaptations in a significantly reduced amount of time.
„Vor allem das Zeichnen und Designen war von unserer Wissenschaftsperspektive aus etwas ganz Neues im Innovationsprozess und ich glaube, das hat unsere Wissenschaftler*innen sehr bereichert.“
District of Hamburg-North
The Hamburg-Nord district office is an administrative authority in the north of the Hanseatic City of Hamburg. It is responsible for the interests of citizens in the districts of Barmbek-Nord, Dulsberg, Eppendorf, Fuhlsbüttel, Groß Borstel, Hohenfelde, Ohlsdorf and Winterhude. The office offers a wide range of services in the areas of citizens' office, public order, social affairs and urban development. As a local administrative unit, the Hamburg-Nord district office helps to improve the quality of life for local people and to shape the urban infrastructure.
