Benedikt Schmid, Cathrin Zengerling, Carola Fricke & others
Urban Planning Journal
2024
This comprehensive research article, published in October 2024 in the Urban Planning journal, investigates an innovative housing development project known as "Kleineschholz" located in Freiburg, Germany. The study was conducted by Benedikt Schmid and Cathrin Zengerling from the University of Freiburg, along with Carola Fricke from Saarland University. 🏗️ Project Context The Kleineschholz development represents a pioneering initiative aimed at creating a housing district that prioritizes the common good. Set in Freiburg's Stühlinger district, the project plans to construct approximately 500 residential units across a 77,500m² area, exclusively through collaborative housing organizations instead of profit-driven developers. 🔍 Key Findings The implementation process of the Kleineschholz project employs concept-based tendering as the main method for allocating land to collaborative housing groups. Continuous dialogue between the municipality and housing organizations is maintained through regular meetings and workshops. A dedicated community meeting space, known as the "Pavilion for All," acts as an essential networking hub for various housing initiatives. 🏡 Innovative Features To mitigate speculation, the land is primarily offered through leasehold models. Additionally, at least 50% of the residential space is mandated to be subsidized rental apartments. The city has also provided substantial financial backing, including €6 million for subsidized housing construction. ⚠️ Challenges The project faces several challenges, including high construction costs and increasing interest rates that impose significant financial constraints. Some housing groups have expressed concerns about municipal regulations being overly restrictive. Furthermore, the necessity for public land ownership and high resource requirements limit the transferability of this model to other contexts. 🌍 Significance Kleineschholz stands as a significant departure from traditional profit-oriented housing development. It serves as an experimental lighthouse project rather than a universally applicable model. While it offers important insights for transformative urban planning, its success is closely tied to Freiburg’s unique context, characterized by a wealthy, academic-alternative-oriented demographic and a strong tradition of collaborative housing. 📈 Broader Implications The study contributes to ongoing discussions about transformative planning practices and the role of municipalities in fostering collaborative housing developments. Although the project showcases innovative approaches to common-good-oriented housing, its exceptional nature underscores both the potential and limitations of scaling such initiatives in different contexts across Europe.
Urban Planning Journal
This comprehensive research article, published in October 2024 in Urban Planning journal, examines an innovative housing development project called "Kleineschholz" in Freiburg, Germany. The study was conducted by Benedikt Schmid and Cathrin Zengerling from the University of Freiburg, and Carola Fricke from Saarland University.
Project Context
The Kleineschholz development represents a pioneering attempt to create a housing district entirely oriented toward the common good. Located in Freiburg's Stühlinger district, the project aims to build approximately 500 residential units on a 77,500m² site, exclusively through collaborative housing organizations rather than profit-oriented developers.
Key Findings
Implementation Process
- The project uses concept-based tendering as its primary instrument for allocating land to collaborative housing groups
- The municipality maintains continuous dialogue with housing organizations through regular meetings and workshops
- A community meeting space called "Pavilion for All" serves as a crucial networking hub for housing initiatives
Innovative Features
- Land is primarily offered through leasehold models to prevent speculation
- At least 50% of residential space must be subsidized rental apartments
- The city provides substantial financial support, including €6 million for subsidized housing construction
Challenges
- High construction costs and rising interest rates pose significant financial constraints
- Some housing groups find municipal regulations too restrictive
- Limited transferability due to the need for public land ownership and high resource requirements
Significance
The Kleineschholz project represents a significant departure from profit-oriented housing development, serving as an experimental lighthouse project rather than a universally applicable model. While it offers valuable lessons for transformative urban planning, its success depends heavily on Freiburg's unique context, including its wealthy, academic-alternative oriented milieu and strong tradition in collaborative housing.
Broader Implications
The study contributes to broader debates about transformative planning practices and the role of municipalities in enabling collaborative housing developments. While the project demonstrates innovative approaches to common-good oriented housing, its exceptional character highlights both the possibilities and limitations of scaling up such initiatives in other contexts.