Region Seltenrain, Gesundheitskioske

As reported in the media, in September 2022, the German Federal Minister of Health promised the establishment of 1,000 Gesundheitskioske (health kiosks) in cities. The Seltenrain village region is already implementing them in rural areas: Here, the cross-municipality foundation Landleben and its affiliated association Landengel e.V. are building a new healthcare, nursing, and service network for the rural region in Blankenburg, Bruchstedt, Kirchheilingen, Sundhausen, Tottleben, and Urleben. This addresses a core issue of rural areas, namely how to ensure healthcare and at the same time organize social cohesion. As part of the IBA Thüringen, four health kiosks are being built in a contemporary timber construction, located in central locations at the bus stops. The concept aims not only to offer healthcare services but also to avoid social isolation and unite care, elderly assistance, and welfare in rural regions. The population can receive advice on health and social issues in the kiosks and, thanks to telemedicine, does not have to travel far for medical examinations. The Seltenrain region is thus becoming a model case for rural healthcare and demonstrating that good offers for better quality of life are possible even outside the city with the help of committed actors.

To give this new social infrastructure a spatial and design identity as a guiding system, the actors together with IBA Thüringen embarked on a parallel path. The idea of health kiosks emerged from village conversations under the guidance of IBA Thüringen. Executed as small, versatile, and quickly heated rooms in addition to their function as bus stops, residents of other municipalities can participate in the healthcare services.

The first four health kiosks are being built with the support of the state of Thuringia and funds for promoting local basic services. They will be realized in different types of wooden constructions, with resource-efficient and circular building principles firmly integrated into the project. The wooden buildings are untreated, powered by solar energy, and provide electricity for electric mobility. Connected charging stations for e-bikes and e-cars are intended to improve the mobility options in the region. The experimental buildings are sustainably designed, with insulation made from wood wool or blown cellulose, and are socially sustainable since various local stakeholders were involved in the development and implementation from the beginning. To demonstrate exemplary variations of wooden construction, experiments were conducted with roofing and wall structures, as well as facade constructions. The experimental nature of the project serves both the development of prototype buildings and the development of new cooperations.

The future operator of the health kiosks is the company ›Gesundes Landleben‹ founded in October 2022 by the foundation ›Stiftung Landleben‹ and the Hamburg social enterprise OptiMedis AG. The care in the health kiosks will be organized through the preventive care program AGATHE. By spring 2023, all four kiosks will be completed. Furthermore, a telemedicine offer will be provided starting in 2023, connecting patients with medical specialists and supported by AGATHE and a cooperatively organized and freely accessible internet connection. Here, data will commute rather than people.

The health kiosks will be complemented by a multifunctional rural center in Sundhausen, which is also a project of the IBA Thüringen.