Benches of the encounter: Reinickendorf fights against loneliness!

Benches of the encounter: Reinickendorf fights against loneliness!

Eichborndamm 215, 13437 Berlin, Deutschland - On July 7, 2025, the Reinickendorf district office celebrated the opening of two special “Quasselbänke”, which were designed specifically to promote interpersonal connections and to combat loneliness in the community. These benches not only offer residents a place to sit, but also a place for conversations and encounters that are often neglected today. One of the new benches on Fellbacher Platz is embedded in a literary environment surrounded by a book box and a bookstore, and also acts as an event location for readings and book presentations. The benches thus combine language, encounter and community.

The second "Quasselbank" is located in the St. Sebastian cemetery. It was developed as a place of consolation and humanity and already complements the existing offers of Catholic pastoral care, which offers support for people in grief and loneliness every Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. These benches are aimed at those who have lost someone or simply need an open ear.

loneliness in urban space

loneliness is a subjective feeling that hits many people, regardless of their social environment or phase of life. This feeling is often the result of a discrepancy between the desired and actual social relationships. A lack of access to social resources and inadequate social infrastructure can favor loneliness and social isolation. The cooperation project "Loneliness. New requirements for living quarters" illuminate how urban planning measures such as the establishment of quassel benches can help reduce loneliness by promoting social interactions.

The space in which people live plays a crucial role in their social contacts. Public spaces such as the benches built in Reinickendorf are therefore not only seating, but also part of a larger strategy to combat loneliness. A total of nine chatter benches were set up in the district to strengthen social networks. These are located at the following locations:

a step in the right direction

These initiatives are part of a district strategy against loneliness, which also includes the design of public places in order to promote low -threshold social interactions. In view of the increasing risk of loneliness in an increasingly older and individualized society, such programs are of great importance. The benches, which are designed by trainees of the street and green space office, are intended to encourage people to talk to each other and to strengthen social interaction.

The integrative approach in the implementation of these projects shows how important the cooperation between different social actors is in order to create a loneliness -resilient neighborhood. The first "Quasseltreff" banks were inaugurated on May 2, 2024, and there are another four benches in planning that are to follow in the district. These measures are an example of how well -thought -out urban planning concepts can significantly improve the quality of life in urban areas.