Eco-village with underground train connection
(Schleswig-Holstein)
Source: Allmende Wulfsdorf e.V.
The grounds of the former „Education Centre Wulfsdorf“ (AZW), a residential home for maladjusted teenagers, are situated in Ahrensburg (pop. 30.000) The small town is located in a rural environment directly bordering on Hamburg's urban fringe and has an underground train connection to the Hanse city. The walking distance from the project site to the underground station is approximately 10-15 minutes.
Source: Allmende Wulfsdorf e.V.
The action group „Initiativkreis Gut Wulfsdorf“ conceived the idea of establishing a village-type community on the AZW-site in 1999. The association „Allmende Wuhlsdorf“ was established in 2002 and then spent two years looking for further investors and affiliates for the project. By now the idea has managed to persuaded enough people for making the concept a reality: following the purchase of the 6,5 ha plot in July 2004, the structural realization has been started.
By 2007, approximately 300 individuals will live, work and spend their leisure time in a sum total of 14 household communities, nine industrial buildings and one sports hall. The household communities each comprise two to twelve tenants, who plan, build and inhabit their house jointly. The six existing residential buildings of the AZW were modernized to low-energy standard and augmented by an additional six, new low-energy buildings. Besides the five state-subsidized apartments and four modernized existing apartments, 90 owner-occupants as well as 34 owners and 10 tenants in the business area have formed an apartment-owner association.
Altogether, 4.000 m² of hall, workshop, studio, office, and practise space are available to tradesmen. The association wishes to achieve a mixture of creative and service operations as well as freelance professions. An artists’ centre has been realized; a craftsmen’s hall and a health centre are in planning. While some of the entrepreneurs (garden and vegetable farmers, undertakers) partook in the land purchase, individual rooms and spaces are also being rented out by the association “Allmende Wuhlsdorf e.V.” to the businesses and artists.
A nursery school and the modernized sports hall round off the amenities. The buildings are heated via a wood chip burning system and solar collectors (solar energy).
In social terms, the variety of different housing types (apartment or house sharing, state-subsidized apartments) is intended to promote mutual support and a “village-type community feeling”. A social fund is being created to support residents experiencing financial difficulties. A recreation programme is to be offered to children and adults in the nursery school and sports hall. The numerous activities of the “Allmende” are also expressly addressed to all residents in the neighbourhood.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| Spring 2002 | Foundation of the association |
| Summer 2002 | Purchase option for the AZW plot |
| Spring 2003 | Building permit is granted |
| Summer 2004 | Land purchase and start of construction |
| Winter 2004 | Scheduled move-in date for first residents |
| 2007 | Completion of buildings and outdoor facilities |
Source: Allmende Wulfsdorf e.V.
Source: Allmende Wulfsdorf e.V.
Source: Allmende Wulfsdorf e.V.
The association "Allmende Wulfsdorf" has successfully developed a change of use and build-up perspective for vacant residential and industrial buildings. The project created a space for a large and future-oriented residential and work community. A key success factor is the realization of a "mixed use on a village scale". The project is further distinguished by numerous ecological and social approaches.
The projekt site ist to be found at postal code: 22926 - town: Ahrensburg - street: Bornkampsweg 36.
Record inserted on 15.09.2004 by Lehrstuhl für Planungstheorie und Stadtplanung, RWTH Aachen and updated by theFederal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) within the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning (BBR).
Last update: 16.09.2011
