Bremer Platz Münster – A Shared Space Approach for Urban Coexistence

Bremer Platz has been a gathering place for people affected by addiction for more than three decades. Located adjacent to Münster’s main station, the area historically received limited attention because most visitors exited the station on the opposite side.

However, broader urban development transformed the surrounding area. The nearby Hansaviertel, once an industrial harbour district, evolved into a vibrant urban quarter with housing, restaurants, cafés, offices, and nightlife venues. The route from the Hansaviertel to the main station passes through Bremer Platz, and so gentrification has taken hold of the entire area.

At the same time, Münster recognised that relocating the drug scene was neither realistic nor desirable. The city’s addiction support infrastructure, including a drug consumption room and social services, is concentrated in the vicinity of Bremer Platz. Alternative central sites are scarce, and previous attempts to establish other locations proved impractical.

Münster’s relatively liberal approach to drug policy also shaped the project. City officials largely subscribe to a harm-reduction philosophy that views addiction primarily as a health issue rather than a matter for repression. Consequently, the challenge was framed as managing coexistence and reducing conflict rather than removing vulnerable populations from public space.

The city further recognised the importance of preserving urban green spaces, both as recreational assets and as part of wider climate adaptation strategies.

• Reduce feelings of insecurity associated with Bremer Platz.
• Improve the quality and attractiveness of a key public space near the city centre.
• Facilitate the coexistence of different user groups within the same urban environment.
• Contain and manage the open drug scene without displacement.
• Reduce public disorder, littering, and conflict.
• Improve coordination between social services, municipal authorities, and law enforcement.

The redevelopment of Bremer Platz was based on the principle that different groups can share public space when their specific needs are acknowledged through design and management measures. The redesigned park is organised into three functional zones. The southern section serves as a recreational and activity space for residents and visitors. It includes exercise facilities, playground equipment, table tennis tables, green areas, and spaces that can be used for neighbourhood events. Nearby schools can also use the area for educational purposes.

The central section functions primarily as a connecting route between the railway station and the Hansaviertel. Seating areas and water features encourage visitors to spend time in the park while improving comfort during warm weather.

The northern section is intended primarily for the open drug scene. This area includes weather protection structures, seating facilities, toilets, and landscaping measures designed to provide shelter and dignity while limiting conflict with other users.

The project is supported by a permanent neighbourhood management structure that continues to mediate between stakeholders and respond to emerging challenges.

A particularly broad range of stakeholders participated in the planning and implementation process:

• City of Münster
• Urban planning department
• Social welfare services
• Green space management
• Neighbourhood management team
• Residents living around Bremer Platz
• Property owners
• Local businesses
• Montessori School and local childcare facilities
• Community associations
• Social organisations working with people affected by addiction
• Outreach social workers
• Local police
• Municipal public order authority
• Federal police
• People associated with the open drug scene

The project relied heavily on long-term participatory governance and neighbourhood management. Two social workers were appointed specifically to coordinate participation and mediate between stakeholders. Extensive consultations were conducted with residents, businesses, schools, social service providers, public authorities, and people using the square.

Particular effort was made to engage individuals connected to the drug scene, many of whom were not represented through formal organisations. Outreach workers conducted surveys, held conversations in drug consumption facilities, and established temporary consultation points directly within the square. Pop-up tents offering coffee created opportunities for informal dialogue and feedback.

The project also employed large-scale citizen participation measures. Around 3,000 households received questionnaires regarding the future of Bremer Platz, generating approximately 1,000 responses. Additional online surveys broadened participation beyond the immediate neighbourhood.

A structured governance model was subsequently established through roundtables and thematic stakeholder groups. Regular coordination meetings between social services, municipality representatives, and law enforcement created an institutional framework for collaborative decision-making and ongoing problem solving.

Shared Space Instead of Displacement

The most innovative aspect of the project is its refusal to displace the open drug scene from the city centre. Rather than treating the presence of vulnerable groups as incompatible with urban regeneration, the project seeks to create conditions for coexistence.

Neighbourhood Management as a Security Tool

The permanent neighbourhood management structure serves as an intermediary between residents, authorities, businesses, and vulnerable populations. This approach moves beyond traditional security measures by emphasising mediation and relationship-building.

Inclusive Participation

Special efforts were made to reach individuals who are often excluded from planning processes, particularly people with addiction disorders. Direct outreach ensured their perspectives influenced the redesign of the space.

Cooperative Security Production

The project developed a model of joint security governance involving social services, municipal authorities, and police organisations. Regular coordination allows different professional perspectives to be integrated into practical responses.

Evidence-Based Urban Design

A scientific crime prevention assessment was commissioned to examine how the redesign could improve both objective security and perceptions of security.

Improved Public Space

The redesign transformed Bremer Platz into a more attractive and structured public environment with amenities for multiple user groups.

Better Understanding of User Needs

Participation processes generated practical insights that directly influenced design decisions. For example, large waste bins were avoided because consultations revealed that they were frequently overturned by people searching for discarded drugs, creating litter and hygiene problems. A drinking water fountain was also installed in response to identified needs.

Strengthened Access to Support Services

Maintaining a central location for the drug scene allows outreach workers and social services to maintain contact with vulnerable individuals and facilitate access to assistance.

Enhanced Cooperation

The project strengthened collaboration between law enforcement bodies, municipal departments, and social service organisations. Repressive measures, when necessary, are coordinated with social support interventions to avoid unnecessary conflict.

National Visibility

The project has attracted considerable attention across Germany because few cities have adopted such an explicit strategy of managed shared use between vulnerable populations and other public-space users.

• Participatory processes require professional facilitation and long-term commitment.
• Managing expectations is essential, as participation often creates high hopes among stakeholders.
• Effective participation must actively reach beyond highly vocal interest groups and engage a broad spectrum of residents.
• Marginalised populations require tailored engagement methods rather than conventional consultation formats.
• Shared-space approaches need continuous monitoring and adaptation after implementation.
• Neighbourhood management should be positioned high enough within administrative structures to coordinate across departmental boundaries effectively.
• Public-space conflicts cannot be solved through physical redesign alone; ongoing social management remains essential.
• Rapid changes in drug consumption patterns may require continual adaptation of strategies and support systems.

• The long-term success of coexistence remains dependent on continuous mediation and management.
• The redesign required substantial financial investment, amounting to approximately €2.95 million.
• Participatory processes are resource-intensive and require specialised expertise.
• Some design elements required adjustment following implementation, particularly regarding weather protection and privacy in the area used by the drug scene.
• Future modifications may require additional political approval and funding.
• Urban space is very limited in German cities; in fact, Bremer Platz does not offer enough space or opportunities to accommodate all the different uses. As a result, conflicts over the use and design of the square persist.

What began as a temporary project evolved into a permanent neighbourhood management structure. This institutionalisation reflects recognition that urban coexistence requires ongoing governance rather than one-off interventions.

Regular roundtable discussions, stakeholder networks, outreach activities, and community consultations continue after the completion of the physical redevelopment. Dedicated outreach workers maintain close contact with people associated with the drug scene and ensure that their perspectives remain part of ongoing discussions.

The project is increasingly viewed as a pilot model for other German cities seeking alternatives to displacement-based approaches for managing open drug scenes and public-space conflicts. Its long-term sustainability rests on the continued combination of physical design, social support, stakeholder participation, and cooperative governance.