New Ecological Settlement
(Hesse)
Source: Sandra Brouër, Stadt Viernheim
Viernheim (pop. 33,000) is in the Rhine-Neckar commuting area. The 5.5-hectare building area "Am Schmittsberg" is on the western fringe of the built-up town area of Viernheim. It directly borders on the autobahns A6 and A67. The local demand for building land was so strong at the beginning of the 1990s that even areas with unattractive conditions were used for house building.
With the designation of this building area, the town of Viernheim had set itself the goal of activating house building land reserves and thus achieving urban and ecological qualities. As Viernheim pursues consistent resource conservation and the elimination of environmental pollution on all levels, the project was embedded in a comprehensive approach for protecting the natural resources.
The project was funded and evaluated as a model plan in the research project "Städtebauliche Qualitäten im Wohnungsneubau" (Urban development qualities in building new housing) in the federal research programme "Experimenteller Wohnungs- und Städtebau“ - ExWoSt - (experimental residential and urban development) in the period from 1991 to 1996.
Source: Sandra Brouër, Stadt Viernheim
The town of Viernheim pursued a double strategy in implementing ecological objectives. For the new housing settlement, they developed detailed requirements in a legally binding land-use plan and simultaneously promoted the acceptance of the ecological standards through intensive, structured public relations work.
Various ecological regulations were laid down by the legally binding land-use plan. Here, the "building windows" were oriented to the natural area. It was therefore possible to preserve valuable ecological areas, such as inland sand dunes. In order to minimise adverse effects on the ground, the building utilization is limited. The restriction of the housing units per plot limits the spread of car parking area, the land use and the area sealing. In order to improve the micro-climate, requirements were made for roof greenery on subsidiary buildings and garages, facade greenery and tree planting. Adverse effects on the water balance are restricted by rain water drainage and water-permeable materials. The legally binding land-use plan required household heating by use of a central heating system with combined power and heat generation in order to improve energy consumption. Additionally, building space for conservatories was permitted. At the same time, it was important to promote the acceptance of these regulations by means of structured public relations work. With the support of three external companies, a comprehensive concept with various components was developed.
One central component was the "Eco-Manual", which offers specific suggestions and practical assistance on the topics of building, energy and house service equipment, greenery and also living and neighbourhood. The offerings were supplemented by a series of free events by the adult education centre on "Ecological Building in Viernheim". These events supported the practical side. For illustration purposes, many excursions showing good examples in practice took place for different target groups.
Additionally, the town and district offered general and target group oriented building consultation which was well received by architects and clients.
Finally, regulations in the legally binding land-use plan, in combination with information and consultation, ensured acceptance of the ecological goals and the success of the project.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1990 | Legally binding land-use plan |
| From 1992 | Building consultation through town and district |
| 1992 | Free course "Ecological building in Viernheim" from the adult education centre |
| 1993 | Activity week on the topic of "Building and living in Viernheim" with exhibitions, presentations and specialist consultation |
| 1993 | Start of building |
| 1994 | Under the supervision of specialists, adult education centre participants build a solar system for warming water for household use |
| 1995 | Eco-Manual and Building Assistance Manual |
| 2000 | Completion of building |
Source: Sandra Brouër, Stadt Viernheim
Source: Sandra Brouër, Stadt Viernheim
Source: Rene Mar, Stadt Viernheim
The Viernheim model shows that an intelligent combination of requirements and incentives can ensure the sustainable development of a new urban neighbourhood. By bundling various measures - regulations in the legally binding land-use plan, financial incentives and special assistance programmes, information and consultation - a housing area with a high ecological quality has been developed in a difficult location.
The target group specific speeches by the different people involved were of key importance for the success. They took into account the different levels of knowledge, experience and expectations of people concerned. This way, the initial skepticism and rejection towards the building plan requirements gave way to broad consent. This work of convincing people is especially important because the desired ecological qualities only become effective in the long-term through an environmentally friendly use of the settlement and housing.
The projekt site ist to be found at postal code: 68519 - town: Viernheim - street: Mathilde-Franziska-Anneke-Straße / Adolf-Damaschke-Straße.
Record inserted on 17.03.2005 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: 22.08.2008
