In the summer semester of 2024, KISD students worked with the City of Cologne's Innovation Office and the waste management company (AWB) to develop ideas to promote repairing in Cologne and thus conserve resources.
The students analysed existing repair services, visited repair cafés and conducted interviews with citizens, volunteers and the AWB. A survey showed that almost half of those questioned were not yet aware of the Repair Cafés in Cologne. The main problems include a lack of awareness and information, a lack of tools and limited opening hours.
Based on these findings, the students developed solutions. The ‘Repair on Wheels’ bicycle trailer brings mobile repair cafés directly into public spaces and thus facilitates access to repair services. The ‘Cologne Repairs’ concept offers a central online platform on which all repair cafés and services are listed with their location, opening hours and counselling services. The possibility of an initial online consultation reduces waiting times and allows people to try out their first DIY repair approaches.
The ‘Repairing at schools’ concept ties in with the AWB’s educational programme and introduces pupils to the topic of repair in a fun way. As part of workshops, they are instructed to repair broken toys, for example, in order to acquire sustainable skills.
Project Supervision
Anastasia Bondar – Stadt Köln, Katja Trinkwalder – KISD
Students
Aslınaz Dursun, Angel Lai Yan Yu, Gaia D’Inzeo, Jade Lacerda Teodulo, Karam Haidar, Luiz Otávio Torres Siqueira, Magdalena Marie Müller, Magnus Lytskjold Engen, Neda Aslahmadizadeh, Parinoosh Parchami, Sarang Kim, Lukas Schmitz, Sophie-Anne Val, Shiho Sawada, Theo Zenker Diaz, José Antonio Avila Villegas
Further project partners
Innovationsbüro der Stadt Köln, AWB Köln
Funded by
Stadt Köln – Innovationsbüro
Duration
04.06.2024 – 12.07.2024
