Car-free living in the garden settlement of Weißenburg
(North-Rhine Westphalia)
Photography: Oliver Niermann, BBR
The garden settlement of Weißenburg was developed as part of the federal state competition "Wohnen ohne eigenes Auto“ (living without your own car). The site is 2.5km from the city centre on the grounds of the former Hindenburg barracks. The Johanniter accident assistance showed interest in ownership and the Wohnungsgesellschaft Münsterland (WGM) housing association expressed interest in committing itself as an investor.
Photography: Oliver Niermann, BBR
The project area covers around 2.7 hectares and is in an integrated location with a high quality living environment. Around 130 flats have been built here in multiple family blocks. Particular attention was paid to ecological qualities, such as the low-energy house standard, large amounts of green area, greenery on the roofs and full rain water drainage.
Furthermore, an intensive resident search and intensive resident involvement was carried out. This way, the future inhabitants were able to actively take part in the planning of the complex in working groups and workshops, for example on the issues of "community rooms and mobility" and "open space planning". All the projects completed so far are social flats. Car ownership is not allowed - the residents have to formally agree to not own a car before they can conclude a tenancy contract. The residents are organised in an association and there are community rooms and a settlement café.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1993 | Initial idea for a car-free settlement in Münster |
| 1996 | Münster receives the approval for the model city "Wohnen ohne eigenes Auto“ (living without your own car) |
| 1999 | Conclusion of the building plan procedure |
| 2001 | Completion of the first 70 flats |
| 2003 | Completion of around 70 more flats |
| 2004 | Completion of the open spaces with a play area |
Photography: Oliver Niermann, BBR
Photography: Oliver Niermann, BBR
Photography: Oliver Niermann, BBR
The planning of the housing complex was carried out in cooperation with the future residents. This included working groups on the issues of "mobility" and "open space planning". The central issue for the neighbourhood is the strict adherance to the no car rule, to which the residents must agree before concluding a tenancy contract. Cars are not allowed to be driven on any part of the settlement grounds. In problem situations, the residents association set up an arbitration office.
The projekt site ist to be found at postal code: 48151 - town: Münster - street: Freiburger Weg.
Record inserted on 02.10.2006 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: 02.09.2008
