A legacy of Germany's divided past, the towering housing blocks in Halle, southwest of Berlin, have often evoked embarrassment and dismay among the city's residents.

But change is in the air as a new cultural initiative attempts to bring the "Plattenbau" to life by turning them into enduring works of art.

Launched in 2018, the refurbishment drive, costing 7 million euros ($7.7 million), plans to cover more than 8,000 square meters of wall space over four tower blocks.

The concrete residences, which are often identified as places of poverty and violence, are the subject of an experiment that aims to promote social cohesion and interaction among its residents through art.

A brainchild of the housing association, HWG, which manages the towers, the project is in collaboration with the Freiraumgalerie, a well-known collective that has a history of reviving ageing buildings in Halle with colorful murals.

According to HWG managing director Juergen Marx, the vibrant graffiti conveys the message that "nothing stays as it is, everything is always changing."