In August 2009, a number of vacant historical buildings located in the ”Gängeviertel”, an area of approx. 8000m² in the city centre of Hamburg, were squatted by 200 creatives in order to avoid their demolition. An initiative was founded which together with the involved departments of the city successfully developed a concept for the area which combines spaces for housing, work and for the public.How did this process work? What barriers needed to be passed before the concept finally was approved? What are the experiences from other cities in the North Sea region with regard to the development of Live-Work Environments for creatives? These among other questions will be discussed in this transnational seminar held as part of the Interreg IVB North Sea region Project ”Creative City Challenge”.