Ottensen – Altona

Locally Influenced with International Flair

MOTTE is constantly adjusting its activities and goals to reflect the changes in the community and society.

MOTTE inspires new models of cooperation and innovative projects that have led to a better quality of life and neighborly engagement. One example includes the initiation of the altonale and the founding of the cooperative production school Altona GgmbH.

In honor of the 700th anniversary of the Ottensen community, MOTTE initiated a film project entitled “Direct to Altona”. The biographies of seven very different protagonists and their lives in Ottensen were portrayed.

In Ottensen traditional residences, small and mid-sized businesses are closely interspersed. In the 70’s a social and cultural movement came into being that created a new living and working culture in the community.

Vacant buildings offered numerous opportunities for use – it was possible to experiment with new forms of cultural programs. New locations for culture and the first community center were created, theaters opened, and artistic groups found new homes.

This artistic scene transformed the community and cultural identity and was able to prevent the destruction of the historic industrial architecture.

Plans from the 70’s for a „City West“ that would have meant the destruction of Ottensen for office buildings were never carried out. Nevertheless, redevelopment, high-density construction, and increasing traffic remain current topics for the community.

MOTTE is located in Ottensen; the building is a former chocolate factory in the quarter called Mottenburg. Mottenburg received its name from the saying: “to have moths” – meaning to have tuberculosis. The illness was widespread in Ottensen when it was an industrial center and the poorest residents lived in damp housing.

The founders of MOTTE took over the ironic identity and viewed themselves as actors responsible for filling gaps in the established cultural landscape.

In the meantime, Ottensen has become one of the most attractive neighborhoods in Hamburg – not least due to the diversity and high concentration of social and cultural initiatives and institutions that make Ottensen such a lively community. Although increasing commercialization has led to some conflict, Ottensen has mostly been able to preserve its neighborly atmosphere and develop a high quality of life.

Gentrification has been a central theme in the community that has been met with criticism.

Altona officially became part of the city of Hamburg in 1937. The community of Ottensen became part of Altona in 1889. Ottensen and Altona have had an eventful history. Freedom of religion, migration, and trade always played a large role in the development of the previously independent regions. The district of Altona is made up of 13 neighborhoods. The center of the district is the Altona Train Station – this is where the communities of Ottensen, The Old City of Altona, Northern Altona, and Bahrenfeld are located.

Community Ottensen: 32,000 Residents
Quarter Altona: 240,000 Residents
Hamburg: 1,705,000 Residents

Since 1976 – Serving the Public

Culture and Social Work Connected to the Community

Improving the Quality of Life and Togetherness in the Community

MOTTE initiates and moderates – whether in community development, culture, or education – the organization is engaged, influences, and participates.

Our Partners and Networks
MOTTE is involved in various working groups and collaborates with approximately 150 partners, including:

AG §78 OKJA Altona
Agentur für Arbeit Hamburg/Altona
Aktion Mensch
Aktivoli-Netzwerk
Alafia Afrikafest / Tanzquelle GbR
Alfred Toepfer Stiftung F.V.S.
altonale GmbH
Arbeitskreis Ashdod Israel
Arab Union of Photographers e.V.
Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Freien Wohlfahrtspflege Hamburg e.V.

Behörde für Kultur und Medien
Behörde für Soziales, Familie, Gesundheit und Verbraucherschutz / Fachberatung Internationale Jugendarbeit
Bezirksamt Altona
Buchholz&Partner
Büro für Suchtprävention
Bundesvereinigung Soziokultureller Zentren e.V.

Circusschule Die Rotznasen

Die Brücke
Dolle Deerns

Eder&Partner
ENRS – European Network Remembrance and Solidarity

FABRIK – Internetcafé
Familienplanungszentrum
fmz: Frauenmusikzentrum
FSK Freies Sendekombinat
FRISE – Künstlerhaus + Abbildungszentrum Hamburg

Gabriele Fink Stiftung
Galerie der Zukunft
Goethe Institut Hamburg
GWA St.Pauli

Haus Drei
Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften

Interkulturelles Forum
Io-Computerdienst

Jugendclub Struenseestraße
Jugendhaus St. Pauli

Kajal
KTH Eule
Kulturpalast Hamburg

LAG Kinder- und Jugendkultur
Lass` 1000 Steine rollen
LEB-Projekt MäiBi-Die 2. Chance
LI Hamburg Institut für Lehrerbildung und Schulentwicklung

Mädchenarbeitskreis Altona
Mädchentreff Ottensen
Mädchentreff Schanzenviertel
Max-Brauer-Schule
Mediennetz Hamburg
Mercado
Mottenschau e.V.
Mut Theater

Pro Familia

Rauhes Haus
Ravensbrück Memorial

Schule Rothestraße
SPIO – Spielplatzinitiative Ottensen
STADTKULTUR HAMBURG e.V. service | impulse | management
Stadtteilschule Bahrenfeld
Stiftung Hamburger Öffentliche Bücherhallen

Thalia-Theater
Theodor-Haubach-Schule
Alfred Toepfer Foundation
Triangel Film.Kommunikation.PR

Verband Druck und Medien

Werkstatt 3