Re-using residential building areas
(Bremen)
Source: Stadt Bremerhaven
The city of Bremerhaven (pop. 116,000) is characterised by a sustained loss in inhabitants. The losses had led to 5,400 vacant apartments by 2006, which are split across various housing estates with different age and building structures. The concept for the entire city created in 2004 within the framework of the ExWoSt research project "Stadtumbau" assumes a need to reduce the amount of housing by 8,000 units by 2015.
A concept has been devised for the urban district Grünhöfe, a large housing estate built in the 1950s by the housing companies STÄWOG and GEWOBA AG Wohnen und Bauen, in cooperation with the two housing companies. The renaturation of an apartment building belonging to GEWOBA AG Wohnen und Bauen and the subsequent use of the space as an attractive sheltered area for young and old represents an important component of the regeneration of the urban district.
Source: Stadt Bremerhaven
The large housing estate Grünhöfe is situated on the urban fringe of Bremerhaven and has more than 2,500 apartments. The settlement has a vacancy rate of around 15% back in 2003 already. Approx. 2000 housing units in three to five-storey terraces were owned by the housing company GEWOBA AG Wohnen und Bauen.
In particular, one terrace with 88 apartments was characterised by the high levels of vacancies and poor basic fabric. In order to counter further vacancies in Grünhöfe, the housing company decided to demolish the building and create an attractive open space for the settlement instead.
While the building was being emptied, a workshop was held with residents in order to gather wishes and ideas for the design of the open space. The existing Stadtteilkonferenz (urban district conference) also participated in developing the open space concept.
The apartment block was finally pulled down in early 2007. Some of the rubble was used to model a hilly landscape. An accessible barrier was created, which acts as a sight and noise barrier for the children's play area. The new open space of 9,000 m² includes a sea-related play and movement landscape. An eight-metre high lighthouse and a pirate ship climbing frame are particularly attractive for children. Footpaths, sheltered areas and meeting places have been created for older people. With regard to the planting, there is an ecological variety. Among other things, herbs such as lavender have been planted. The open space has been well received and has developed into an attraction across the city.
| Jahr | Ereignis |
|---|---|
| 2002 | Inclusion of Bremerhaven in the ExWoSt research project Stadtumbau West |
| 2004 | Decision by GEWOBA to reduce the residential building |
| 2005 | Start of the relocation management |
| 2006 | Open space planning with participation from residents and Stadtteilkonferenz |
| 2006 | Start of demolition work |
| 2007 | Design of the play area and sheltered area, and opening of the "Kapitänsinsel" (Captain's Island) |
Source: Stadt Bremerhaven, Stadtplanungsamt
Source: Stadt Bremerhaven
The renaturation of the apartment building in Grünhöfe and the creation of an attractive open space on the renaturation space is an example of the combination of housing demolition and enhanced inner-city quality. The intensive resident participation and the use of the cleaned rubble to model a hilly landscape are other innovative contributions of the project.
The project location can be directly translated into Google-maps. Project in Google-Maps
The projekt site ist to be found at postal code: 27574 - town: Bremerhaven - street: Braunstraße 8.
Record inserted on 07.07.2009 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: 30.10.2009
