Intervening use of a formerly residential wasteland with useful plants
(Brandenburg)
Source: Stadt Cottbus
The conversion of the largest prefab housing estate in Brandenburg state pursues a twofold strategy: maintaining and upgrading residential areas situated favourably in terms of urban infrastructure on the one hand and demolition of resident areas in peripheral locations on the other. Various approaches are consequently possible for the subsequent design of demolition areas. These range from simple landscaping measures across large areas at the urban periphery to very ambitious housing environment upgrades in the areas to be maintained.
In the winter of 2003/2004, a complete district containing over 1.000 apartments was torn down at the southern edge of Sachsendorf-Madlow. The area’s vacancy rate had already reached a high level of over 40 % at the end of the year 2000.
Source: DSK mbH
Given the immediate proximity of the Autobahn, the option of establishing resident-friendly industry in the fallow residential area is to be made available in the future. This type of option, including possible intervening use scenarios, has been prepared by students and architects engaged in an international workshop procedure using the Hegelstraße residential area as an example. The workshop process was organized through the international architectural exhibition“Fürst-Pückler-Land” and took place at the end of 2003 as part of the EU project REKULA aimed at restructuring cultural landscapes. As a result, the landscaping plan developed by studio_eu was immediately transferred into a practical realization phase following demolition of the existing building stock on Hegelstrasse.
The intervening design is planned in two stages in order to upgrade the value of the approximately 4,8 ha wasteland for local residents as well as potential investors. Based on a license agreement between the site owners and the council, two tons of Jerusalem artichoke bulbs were planted on parts of the area in May 2004 as an immediate measure. The selection of this hardy and low-maintenance sunflower species was appointed in coordination with the organizations BUND (German Union for Environmental and Nature Concerns) and NABU (German Conservation Society). The planting was mainly carried out by honorary helpers from a refugee association, an environmental centre, a volunteer agency and the learning workshop "Leonardos Meisterbude". The remainder of the site was pre-seeded with a mixture of grasses and herbs.
The Jerusalem artichoke plants, which can reach a height of around 3,5 metres, symbolically already pave the way for the second desing stage. If the area can be successfully mareketed for a short- to medium-term use, the grounds of the planted area are scheduled for modelling. Industrial marketing of the site between the hills remains possible at anytime, but if required by the investors, a remodelling of the site is also a viable option.
It was possible to finance the workshop procedure through the EU programme INTER-REG III B within the context of the REKULA project. The seeding operation was carried out on a honorary basis. The seeding of lawn and herbs is realized by the site owners with financial support from the programme “Urban Restructuring – East (Stadtumbau-Ost).
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2003 | Workshop procedure on subsequent use and intervening design |
| 2003/04 | Demolition of residential buildings in the Hegelstraße residential area |
| 2003/04 | Demolition of social infrastructure |
| From 2003 | Removal of urban engineering infrastructure |
| From 2004 | Arrangement with useful plants and herb/lawn mixture |
| 2004 | Location resolution/change of legally binding land-use plan |
Source: DSK mbH
Source: Stadt Cottbus
Source: DSK mbH
The project provides neighbourhood residents with an opportunity to actively design and improve their extended environment. The option of a subsequent structural use is kept open for the future at the same time. The planning and realization involved an intensive cooperation between residents, environmental organizations and community workers.
The projekt site ist to be found at postal code: 03050 - town: Cottbus - street: Hegelstraße 30.
Record inserted on 27.09.2005 by the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) within the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning (BBR).
Last update: 11.09.2008
