LIFE97 ENV/D/000469 - Realisation of the Sustainable Model City, District Vauban
Overview
Background & policy context:
After the French army left Freiburg in 1992, the city bought the 38 ha large Vauban area from the state in order to create housing of increased density for different social groups. It was the goal of the planning concept to create 2000 apartments that could house approximately 5000 people. Furthermore 600 jobs are to be created. By dividing the land into small plots and giving priority to private builders and groups of builders, a variety of housing styles are promoted and with it liveliness within the district. Development companies complete the mix of housing that will be available. Partly because of the attractive location, the plots were in great demand from the beginning. The planning philosophy of Vauban: “Learning while planning” which encourages flexibility in reacting to changes and new wishes. Furthermore the association Forum Vauban guaranteed a wide-spread citizen participation.
Objectives:
The project consists in five parts:
- Participation and consultation: within the framework of extended citizen participation all actors have developed the willingness to support ecological issues beyond legal requirements.
- Planning and cooperation: the City of Freiburg facilitates an intensive dialog of all actors exceeding current legislation and realises the innovations within the scope of urban planning. It is to be examined in what ways civic involvement can lower expenses and at the same time increase the identification of the inhabitants with their district.
- Traffic: the aims of the 'Freiburg Model' are to keep cars largely out of residential areas, to develop attractive alternative ways of mobility and to increase thus the quality of life and housing in the district. It is planned to make the experience gained accessible throughout Europe.
- Energy: an integral district heating and energy concept is planned to reduce energy consumption in the district significantly and to produce the energy still needed in environmentally friendly and economical fashion. The conflict between the economic interests of the energy supplier and the aim of energy saving and use of solar energy is to be resolved between suppliers and clients in a consent-finding procedure.
- Building: a model house will display ecological innovations in building visibly and understandably to the broad public (EXPO 2000). The emphasis is on the combination of comparatively simple and therefore transferable measures. The model house at the market square with apartments, shops and a restaurant will contribute to a lively district centre (social integration as outlined in Agenda 21). The project strives to show that sustainable settlements policies are technically, politically and economically feasible. In addition to that, inhabitants enjoy a significantly higher quality of life and housing.
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