StadtLab draws a strong balance - clear need for the future

32,000 visitors by the end of 2025 - highlights presented in 2026

32,000 visitors, a strong pull effect for Jena's city center and a clear need in the future - these are the key findings from the "StadtLab Jena" project, which was funded until the end of November 2025 as part of the federal program "Sustainable inner cities and centers". The study by the Chair of Economic Geography at Friedrich Schiller University shows that StadtLab has firmly established itself as a central space for experimentation, encounters and inspiration in Jena's city center since the start of the project in summer 2023. According to the evaluating report, StadtLab has made a measurable contribution to revitalizing the city center and contributing to its transformation. The figures illustrate the diverse use, wide reach and broad approval.

StadtLab-Team L. Liebe (Fachdienstleiter Stadtentwicklung), E. Plava, G. Sachse (beide Team StadtLab) & M. Henkenmeier (Prokurist JenaWirtschaft)

© JenaWirtschaft

Diverse use and wide reach

By November 2025, a total of 280 uses had been implemented in the StadtLab at the Löbderstraße and Ratszeise locations by 125 sponsors. The average duration of use was 3.2 days, and almost 78% of the formats were one-day events. In terms of content, events from the fields of education and social affairs (105 uses) and the cultural and creative industries (49 uses) dominated. This was followed by formats in the areas of politics & society, trade & gastronomy and technology & business. Retail and gastronomy concepts with a usage period of more than 14 days were the longest active in StadtLab. This means that the proportion of commercial and mixed-commercial uses is around 53% in terms of days of use. Overall, the projects and activities have reached around 32,000 visitors since the start of the StadtLab Jena funding project in June 2023. On days of use, footfall in Löbderstraße increased statistically significantly by around four percent. The open educational, cultural and retail formats attracted a measurable number of visitors.

Positive impact on the city center and stakeholders

The accompanying survey of users confirms the great importance of StadtLab: 93% were very or somewhat satisfied with the offer, with an average rating of 1.3. Six out of ten respondents stated that they would not have been able to implement their concept in Jena's city center without StadtLab. The central location, low access barriers, flexible use and personal support from the team were particularly emphasized. StadtLab was clearly perceived as an "enabler" - for new ideas, collaborations and target groups.

Consolidation and further development

Almost all of the stakeholders surveyed would like to see a continuation of their uses - mostly on a regular basis and preferably in the city center. 100 percent of respondents see a long-term need for experimental and open spaces such as StadtLab in Jena's city center. At the same time, many are willing to actively support its continuation, for example with time, expertise or contributions in kind.

Recommendations for action from the evaluation

The evaluation recommends establishing StadtLab and developing it further in a targeted manner. Central starting points are continued discounted access to inner-city space, investment in technical and structural equipment, better visibility at the Ratszeise location and simplified regulations for the use of the outdoor area. In terms of content, the proven mix of social, cultural and commercial uses should be maintained and expanded in order to appeal to different target groups and enable synergies.

Lars Liebe, Head of Urban Development at the City of Jena, would also like to maintain these synergies:

"The results clearly show that StadtLab is more than just a space - it is a strategic tool for urban development and business promotion. It creates low-threshold access to the city center, enables experiments beyond classic market logic, strengthens networks and increases the quality of stay. At a time of structural change in city centers, StadtLab is making an important contribution to the transformation from a pure shopping area to a diverse meeting, cultural and working space. This is precisely why Jena will continue to need StadtLab in the future and why we, as the Department of Urban Development & Environment, are supporting the project again this year."

Winners of the 2026 ideas competition in the Ratszeise

A lot is also planned for 2026, even though the federal funding expired in November 2025.

"We have a consistently high demand for a wide variety of uses in 2026 too. Our four ideas competition winners from last year are showing their projects, which we are particularly looking forward to,"

says project manager Erza Plava. The first agreements have already been signed. "Sports Tech Factory" is testing the "After Run Beats x Techno Ping Pong" format every Thursday until the end of February, combining exercise, music and community. Just in time for the spring market in mid-May, "vivantia" - second place in the ideas competition - a decelerated cultural and meeting space with curated furniture, artisanal formats and a small café will move into the StadtLab. The "Werkschau Thüringen" - last year's gold medal winner - brings regional crafts and modern design products to Jena in September and uses the Ratszeise as a showcase for products "made in Thuringia". Finally, in October, visitors can look forward to the 3rd place of the ideas competition, the "Spielend Begegnen" format: with board games, city rallies and tournaments, space will be created for fun, exchange and encounters.

Open-air StadtLab on Engelplatz to be expanded

Another highlight will be the expansion of the "Freiluft-StadtLab" on Engelplatz. Under the motto "Your idea belongs in the fresh air?!", retailers and restaurants will be able to jointly enliven the area opposite the library with temporary uses.

"From April until the start of the Kulturarena, we want to create the opportunity to test new concepts live and develop synergies for the community in the city center. This will continue after the Kulturarena in September to further consolidate Engelplatz as an inner-city meeting place,"

says project manager Grit Sachse.

So there is a lot to do for the StadtLab team, which naturally hopes to continue its successful projects beyond 2026.