Where are we going with urban neighbourhood developments?

On what types of city sites can neighbourhoods be developed and can an urban neighbourhood also be valid in a very small area?

For me, there is no generally correct answer here, because the term "neighbourhood" is not definitively set in stone. However, there are certain aspects that should be taken into account when developing a neighbourhood – and thus also when selecting a site or inner-city brownfield.

Neighbourhoods should develop out of the dynamics of a place and bring something new to the table via innovative use types. It is important that land is used efficiently to counteract excessive urban sprawl, especially in times of urbanisation. Economic motivation also plays a role – larger brownfield sites in particular offer potential for attractive developments. The conversion of well-located areas is worthwhile and can lead to positive changes.  Hiring good planners and professionals is essential to ensuring that a professional team with the appropriate expertise and an existing network can handle the complexity of the requirements. Large projects also require large and professional networks in order to be successfully implemented.

What's more, there are no rules on the minimum size of an inner-city area required to develop a neighbourhood. The size depends on various factors, including the existing infrastructure, demand, and planned use. In some cases, an urban neighbourhood can also be developed in a smaller area, as long as the above-mentioned aspects and the corresponding mix of uses are carefully considered and planned.

How do you transform an industrial wasteland into a modern, contamination-free urban neighbourhood as sustainably as possible?

The transformation of an industrial wasteland into a modern urban neighbourhood is a complex challenge that goes beyond purely technical aspects. While the problem of ground contamination can be mastered through appropriate engineering, the real difficulty lies in transforming the perception of the site from industrial area to a liveable neighbourhood. The qualities of the place must be recognised and presented in detail in order to then create a new positive image via targeted planning, construction and marketing measures.

The development requires a holistic analysis and the consideration of the potential of aspects such as location, infrastructure and historical significance. Sustainability concepts and community involvement are important, as is financial and organisational implementation by various stakeholders, including investors, urban planners, architects and public authorities. Financing models must be developed that take into account the costs of remediation of contamination and the redesign of the neighbourhood. Through participatory planning processes and the consideration of the needs and concerns of the residents, a high level of acceptance of, and identification with, the new urban neighbourhood can be achieved.

From the perspective of the property developer, all of this is only possible and feasible if a whole team of experts, specialist planners and master craftsmen comes together and works together in a well-integrated manner. The more complex a project is – and a brownfield urban neighbourhood development is definitely one of the supreme disciplines in this sense – the more differentiated and high-quality the team of experts involved must be. To develop a common vision and enjoyment of the project, it needs a real planning and cooperation culture in order to be successful.

How sustainable and low-emission-efficient can a development utilising existing buildings become?

The sustainability and low-emission-efficiency of a development involving existing buildings is not fundamentally restricted, but is defined by the economic and regulatory requirements and possibilities, as is the case with new construction. Often, additional measures may be required to improve the building envelope in order to improve energy consumption. From a technical point of view, there are all possibilities to make the existing building comparable to new buildings in an energetically sustainable way – and the preserved building is more sustainable than new construction in any case, even if this is not sufficiently reflected by all certification and verification methods. The regular renewal of a building’s technical systems is always necessary anyway and offers the opportunity to implement energy-efficient systems and always keep these up to date.

Regarding the sealing of the ground and related issues. Would you prefer to avoid neighbourhood developments on greenfield sites?

Depending on the available options for a neighbourhood development, new construction can also be a solution. In this case, it is important to take into account the impact on the land and make appropriate arguments regarding sealing and other factors. Land use should be carefully assessed, including aspects such as connectivity, traffic and circulation areas, the degree of sealing and opportunities to create green and sustainable spaces such as sponge city concepts. Every generation should be given the opportunity to think things from scratch – but we no longer need greenfield development on a massive scale and then only if it is to a special quality.