Thinking about productive cities, one foresees processes that bring together a set of elements addressing in an integrated manner a wide range of topics and generate resources. Initiatives cannot be launched independently. They must be adequately planned from end-to-end, taking into account the overall context as well as inputs and outputs. Following this line of reasoning, the proposal ambitions to focus on long term needs and to foster the Making it Local concept.

The approach developed links together several projects. Hence, it can be described as an organized complexity that, on the one hand, is both rational and realistic, relying on what already exists and on the new ideas that it may generate, and on the other hand, meets the reality of the Guebwiller ecosystem, notably its history, its social and economic aspects as well as its geographical specificities. Such an approach should prompt a participatory process involving the local communities and their engagement in proactive actions. Through the people we have met in Guebwiller, we are deeply convinced that little incentives will produce great results.

Affected by cessation of activities and closings, the site, once a highly living and working place, has become more and more anonymous over the years, losing some of its attractiveness. In order to restore the latter, which is necessary to bring back economic growth, one needs to revive and re-energize the site, with lively public spaces and community-based initiatives.