The Gängeviertel (English: Slums-quarter) consists of a few streets that remain of the old poor mans´ quarter in Hamburg, with smaller innercourt-streets called ´gänge´. What was vacant, was squatted in 2009 and the artisan collective thus prevented it from beeing torn down by an investor. Surprisingly, the Municipality bought the houses back from the investor and thus the squatters could continue to evolve the Gängeviertel further, as a legalized entity now. However, the urgent restoration of the buildings is still ground for discourse between local government and the circa 200 residents, since gentrification is on the lure and they want to keep control over the housingpolicy.
The website presents an overview of the public activities and what happens in which houses. It is only in the German language, but under the das Gängenviertel-section you can find some visual Impressionen on what is beeing done there. During the G20 in 2017, the Gängeviertel shows itself as a haven for protestors and a oasis of freedom in a militarized city.