On the southern edge of Freiburg, Germany, sits a neighbourhood with an unconventional history and impressive statistics. Home to 5,267 inhabitants and a density of 12,846 people per km² (similar to the Groningen city centre), the neighbourhood of Vauban is a prime example of sustainable urban design. With passive housing, green space supporting the regional ecology, and accessible alternative transport, Vauban’s residents can live car-free in a sustainable urban forest.
By Payton Chung from DCA, USA – Vauban housing courts, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67531440
By Andreas Schwarzkopf – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=86460951
The history of Vauban
In 1937, the site was completed as the location of barracks for the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany. In 1945, the French military occupied them until German reunification in 1992, at which point squatters occupied several of the barracks. Many of these early residents had alternative and environmentally conscious values, which laid the groundwork for the district’s future. After organising protests, the squatters successfully pressured the city into purchasing 34 out of the 38 total hectares of the site from the federal government.
Unique development
An urban design competition by the city led to the development of a master plan in 1994, intending to develop the area into a compact, walkable and carbon-neutral neighbourhood. The city saw the success of civic participation in earlier projects and supported a private organisation, Forum Vauban, to represent the current and future residents of the area. Forum Vauban especially pushed for sustainability measures, exploring energy, housing, mobility, social infrastructure and public space to facilitate their goals.
Compromise
To achieve sustainable development goals, Forum Vauban secured funding from the EU and the German Environmental Foundation. As a result, they were able to consult experts and develop three district goals beyond the city’s original plans. They wanted a self-administered community centre, more sites for passive housing and a car-free district. While the first two goals were implemented, the last was met with compromise— while the area is designed to discourage car use, it is not entirely car-free.
Baugruppen
Another aspect of the development that sets it apart is that many blocks were built by collaborating with future residents. Generally, groups would apply to build a block of apartments together and could make several design choices themselves. This streamlined the construction process, as applying to the city directly cut the need for private developers and the impact of profit-driven development. Forum Vauban also supported these groups by sharing networks, experience and information.
Key takeaways
Vauban is a great case study for an effective citizen participation scheme, but it is also an excellent example of how densification and green space are not mutually exclusive. By following principles that promote spatial efficiency, sustainable mobility, and urban greenery, Vauban is a model for all cities embarking on neighbourhood revitalisation projects.
