In Berlin’s largest housing estate, Gropiusstadt, sustainability couldn’t be imposed from above. With Degewo, we launched “Machbarschaft”, a multi-year program to activate tenants as co-creators of circular living. Through placemaking, events, branding, and nudging, over 5,000 residents (out of 17,000) engaged in new practices—leading to 30% less illegal waste dumping, 200+ repairs in three months, and a new tenant-led association running the neighborhood repair & lending shop.
Degewo, Berlin’s second-largest housing association, needed to make its large housing estates more resource-efficient and circular. But technical fixes alone weren’t enough. In Gropiusstadt it became clear: without the active involvement of residents, sustainability measures remained ineffective. Many tenants weren’t aware of how much everyday action mattered—let alone how they could shape their community’s future together.
Degewo, Berlin’s second-largest housing association, needed to make its large housing estates more resource-efficient and circular. But technical fixes alone weren’t enough. In Gropiusstadt it became clear: without the active involvement of residents, sustainability measures remained ineffective. Many tenants weren’t aware of how much everyday action mattered—let alone how they could shape their community’s future together.
We developed a holistic engagement approach, built on community design and co-creation. Under the name Machbarschaft, we made circular living visible, tangible, and collective—through workshops, events, nudges, and a digital community. Pilot projects ranged from a self-organized repair and lending shop to balcony solar consultations, cleaner waste stations, and mobility experiments. To make the approach transferable, we created a Playbook documenting processes and learnings for other Degewo neighborhoods.
We developed a holistic engagement approach, built on community design and co-creation. Under the name Machbarschaft, we made circular living visible, tangible, and collective—through workshops, events, nudges, and a digital community. Pilot projects ranged from a self-organized repair and lending shop to balcony solar consultations, cleaner waste stations, and mobility experiments. To make the approach transferable, we created a Playbook documenting processes and learnings for other Degewo neighborhoods.
The Machbarschaft became a catalyst for circular lifestyles and community empowerment. More than 5,000 tenants participated, improving cleanliness, reducing illegal waste dumping by 30%, and strengthening cohesion in the neighborhood. The repair and lending shop alone recorded 200+ items repaired or reused in three months, and its continued operation is now ensured by a tenant association. The project shows how social infrastructure can become a decisive lever for sustainable urban development.
The Machbarschaft became a catalyst for circular lifestyles and community empowerment. More than 5,000 tenants participated, improving cleanliness, reducing illegal waste dumping by 30%, and strengthening cohesion in the neighborhood. The repair and lending shop alone recorded 200+ items repaired or reused in three months, and its continued operation is now ensured by a tenant association. The project shows how social infrastructure can become a decisive lever for sustainable urban development.
“NEW STANDARD.S achieves with effective methods and communication at eye level what we struggle with in many neighborhoods: activating our tenants and involving them in change processes.”
— Degewo AG
“By solving real-life problems and anchoring sustainability in everyday life, we are able to engage people beyond a small niche of already convinced people.”
— Cléo Mieulet, Participation Expert
