Local Knowledge and Shared Action as a Foundation for Change: Stakeholders from Neuperlach
Transforming a neighbourhood without the involvement of those who live and work there would have been unthinkable. It was the everyday knowledge, experiences, and ideas of local residents that became a vital resource for driving sustainable change in Neuperlach. People knew where they liked to spend time, what was missing – and whether their needs were being heard or overlooked.
That’s why one of the core principles of the NEBourhoods project was to not only involve civil society but to empower people to co-create. In collaborative living labs, residents worked side by side with researchers and practitioners to design and test real-life prototypes for a more livable, sustainable future.
In the process, residents experienced what sustainable change could look like – up close and hands-on. They built networks, discovered new perspectives, and developed a shared sense of ownership. New meeting places emerged, existing communities were strengthened, and new ones began to grow. Together with the people of Neuperlach, NEBourhoods showed how transformation could begin – and gain momentum.
What follows are the voices and stories of those who shaped this journey.
Mi Nguyen, Teacher at Campus di Monaco & Resident of Neuperlach
“I think it’s so wonderful to see that this has really become a place where people from our neighbourhood meet: On weekends, when I cycle past our shadow bench, I always see different people – older individuals, very young families spending time there, or teenagers discovering the place for themselves.”
Mi Nguyen, a teacher at the Montessori school “Campus di Monaco” and a resident of Neuperlach, became involved in the Creating NEBourhoods Together project after her colleague Florian Rödiger introduced her to it. Together, they aimed to transform an unused strip of lawn next to the school into a garden and meeting place for the neighbourhood. Nguyen was particularly interested due to her experience with a rooftop school garden and her own ties to the neighbourhood. She describes the initiative as an “incredible project” and highlights how Neuperlach has improved thanks to the new gardens and communal spaces. She is especially happy about the intergenerational meeting places that now attract people of all ages.
International Montessori School Campus di Monaco
Ruth Maria Funke, Board Member of EFG Christus-Church Munich-Perlach
“It’s really great – the sense of community and recognition in the neighbourhood thanks to the project. And just being a part of the community here in Neuperlach.”
Ruth Maria Funke was involved in the NEBourhoods project from the beginning. Motivated by the ideas presented, she took part in workshops for raised garden beds and in planning a photovoltaic system for the church’s roof within the living lab Energy Communities. She especially appreciates the newly created meeting places like the book-sharing shelf and pavilions, which foster connections among seniors, young families, and people with migration backgrounds. She is particularly inspired by the commitment and creativity of the younger generation involved.
EFG Christuskirche München-Perlach
Angela Ayoub, Teacher at Werner-von-Siemens-Highschool Neuperlach
“I took away so many great connections, ideas, inspirations, and new partners from this project.”
Angela Ayoub worked on the NEBourhoods Together project with her colleague Alina Avila. As the lead of the school’s garden, she reached out early to the Creating NEBourhoods Together project and its living lab Tasty NEWPerlach. Regular participation in meetings helped her expand the garden with new raised bed modules. For Ayoub, the project provided a wealth of ideas, connections, and inspiration, especially regarding energy communities and sustainable design.
Werner-von-Siemens-Gymnasium
Harald Höfer, Chairman of the Munich Energy Communities & Neuperlach Resident
“I find it very meaningful that Neuperlach’s citizens can decide and actively participate in this energy transition – and also benefit from the energy that can be generated here.”
Harald Höfer, a passionate advocate for the energy transition, played a key role in expanding the energy community living lab within the NEBourhoods project. As chairman of the Munich Energy Communities – which was founded as part of the project – he emphasized the importance of turning ideas into action. He found the co-creative spirit of the project especially motivating and empowering.
Energiegemeinschaft München eG
Bernhard Kopp, Chairman of Neighbourhood Center Perlacher Herz
"It’s not just the photovoltaic system on our roof that I take away from this project – but above all, the many heartfelt encounters."
Bernhard Kopp helped establish the Munich Energy Communities and worked on installing the first solar panels on the roof of Perlacher Herz. He was also involved in planning a garden behind the neighbourhood center and formed valuable new friendships through the project.
Nachbarschaftstreff Perlacher Herz
Christiane Gruzlewski, Social Psychologist & Urban Development Advocate
“Thanks to the synergies and people on-site, many projects continue even after the NEBourhoods project ends. Many initiatives can be continued and expanded independently by residents, as the created spaces remain. That’s how our neighbourhood community keeps growing and flourishing.”
Christiane Gruzlewski has long been committed to urban development in Neuperlach. She co-founded a sustainability-focused interim-use project in the old Allianz building and later helped found the association “Das Kreativ 83,” partly inspired by her work in the NEBourhoods Living Labs. Together with her husband and residents, she redesigned green spaces, helped make Neuperlach “edible,” and now coordinates a mobile kitchen. Through a makerspace scholarship, she develops sustainable products from book covers and board games.
Verein für Nachhaltigkeit und Gemeinschaft Das Kreativ 83
Bahar Auer, Director of KulturBunt Neuperlach e.V.
“For us, it was particularly exciting – and a confirmation of our working methods – that the NEBourhoods project shared some key values with KulturBunt’s work: SUSTAINABILITY, TRANSFORMATION, and long-term thinking in cultural work.”
Bahar Auer, director of the Neuperlach Cultural Center “KulturBunt,” actively participated in several Living Labs within the NEBourhoods Together project. She frequently connected her own cultural project “NEUPERLACH 2324” to the initiative. Inspired by shared values like sustainability and long-term thinking, KulturBunt increased its outreach work in the neighbourhood. In 2025, the association was awarded the Bavarian Integration Prize.
KulturBunt Neuperlach e.V. Kulturzentrum Neuperlach
Bülent Askar, Founder and Director of the Social Institution and Neighbourhood Center Perlacher Herz
“The solar panel system from the Munich Energy Communities helps us effectively save costs and protect the environment. It’s impressive because this new energy source is affordable and sets a sustainable example for all generations. The saved money can be invested meaningfully in education.”
Bülent Askar contributed to the implementation of solar panels and raised garden beds as part of the NEBourhoods project. Perlacher Herz, the neighborhood center he leads, supports a wide variety of intergenerational and inclusive activities. It was the first building to supply power to the newly founded energy communities. It also houses raised garden beds from Tasty NEWPerlach where people can grow and cook edible plants together. Collaboration with universities and associations gave Bülent Askar new perspectives and strategies for future community development.
Nachbarschaftstreff Perlacher Herz
Florian Mayr & Torsten Müller, Neighbourhood Managers of Neuperlach (MGS – Münchner Gesellschaft für Stadterneuerung)
Florian Mayr and Torsten Müller were involved in almost every NEBourhoods project as on-site experts. Many events took place in the community space Quidde35. Using local funding, they helped realize additional projects. For them, boldness and action are key to starting new initiatives, as meaningful change often begins on a small scale. The network built during the project now serves as a foundation for future endeavors.
Quidde35 – Raum für Stadtsanierung
Picture Credits:
NEBourhoods / HM:UniverCity, Gabriella Guzmann, Natalia Chikanchi;
Catherina Hess (Portrait Florian Mayr & Torsten Müller)