The event kicks off with an action day featuring entertaining game stations and a tour with Aurora DeMeehl
What do small boxes on street lamps have to do with crisis preparedness? How were fires reported in the past? And how does the city ensure safe school routes? The Heinerblock Rally turns research on digital resilience, crisis preparedness, and sustainable urban planning into an interactive experience for families. From March 21 to May 31, 2026, participants can explore a 1.6-kilometer route through Darmstadt’s Lichtenbergblock. At ten stations, families solve tasks, answer questions, and discover insights from emergenCITY and DiReX.
The rally officially launches on March 21, 2026, with an event day. Between 11 AM and 3 PM, families can pick up the free rally booklet and stamp cards at Zucker e.V. (Liebfrauenstraße 66) and start a tour with hands-on stations exclusively prepared for this first day. A highlight is a guided rally tour with Aurora DeMeehl, the “Darmstädter Mädsche,” at 11 AM, blending the rally with engaging stories from local history. At the final station at Riegerplatz, completed stamp cards can be exchanged for small surprises, including personalized 3D-printed keychains. Representatives from emergenCITY and DiReX will be present for dialogue. Registration for the guided tour is requested via direx@pg.tu-darmstadt.de.
Families can also explore the rally independently until May 31. The free rally booklet is available at local businesses, including Pizza Mono, 3klang, and Buchhandlung Lesezeichen. Correct answers form a solution word, and completed cards can be redeemed for a small thank-you gift. Developed by the LOEWE Center emergenCITY and the Digital Resilience Xchange (DiReX) at TU Darmstadt, the rally demonstrates how neighborhoods can become more crisis-resilient, sustainable, and livable. It is designed for children aged 6–12, but all ages are welcome.
