Nature Based Solutions - Implementation Models Database
Pioneer
Case
Eco District Freiburg Vauban
A short description of the NBS project
The suburban redevelopment project ‘Quartier Vauban’ (QV) is situated in the foothills of the Black Forest in Freiburg, south-west Germany, and is “one of the most celebrated model sustainable districts” (ITDP, 2011, p. 96). Vauban illustrates the development of a sustainable urban district, adopting a cooperative planning process and socio-ecological values (Schroepfer & Hee, 2007).
This project is a very good example for a dense green city and a perfect conversion of old military bases. The complete project was from the beginning a Partitive process to enable the inclusion of the residents wishes and suggestions to the planning process. All buildings are built to a low-energy consumption standard. Many buildings have solar collectors or photovoltaic cells and produce more energy than needed. Vauban is the first housing community worldwide with a complete positive energy balance. In the whole district the number of cars is reduced by 50%. The coverage and great usage of plants make Vauban to look like a big garden with houses. This image helps to convey the importance of green city structures and illustrates the ecofriendliness of Vauban.
Often referred to as the ‘solar capital city of Europe’, Freiburg is a regularly mentioned forerunner in environmental practice and policy.
The objective was to create an environmental community and movement for an ecological, socially and self-organized city quarter with a lot of green spaces and affordable housing to meet the extremely high demand on living space in the city.
NBS Implementation context
Location
Germany, Freiburg
Latitude
47.9758333
Longitude
7.82472222
Status
Project delivered
Dates
1995.0
Description of the NBS
NBS Scale
neighbourhood
NBS Impacts scale
neighbourhood
Urban density/ Soil consumption
high (dense city center, etc.)
Combined with other(s) environmental friendly solution(s)?