A model district on the upswing
Nearly 1,000 flats and 380 student accomodation units are being created within the “Wohnen am Campus“ housing district
A city without flats isn’t a real city. That’s why from the outset, planners in Adlershof have been aiming at a mixed-use development including urban residential living. For a long time, Berlin’s slack housing market thwarted the realisation of the project which is now turning into a reality: the project “Wohnen am Campus“ is finally being implemented on a 14 hectare area located between Groß-Berliner Damm and Karl- Ziegler-Straße.
2,500 people will be living here
In fact, the new residential district is growing at a rapid pace. Not even two years after sales launch, almost all of the building plots have been sold, and the first buildings are structurally nearly complete. Soon, some 2,500 people will be living here – adults and children, families and singles, older people and students. This precision landing was made possible by far-sighted planning which, even in times of growing demand, is imperative in establishing a hitherto blank area as a physical address. This is even more true if this process is guided by the highest standards of quality.
As the aim was to create a multifaceted urban residential district forming a self-contained townscape, plots were not simply sold to the highest bidders, but to builders who came up with the most convincing concepts. In this way, numerous factors could be controlled which, in other places, are largely left to the laws of the market or even coincidence. Architectural quality, however, is only one aspect. In fact, all types of accomodation are being created within the district: flats, townhouses, student apartments and city mansions. Moreover, the projects are ecologically ambitious. Energy efficient construction standards include not only passive houses, but also energy-plus buildings.
A model district
The State of Berlin is investing a total of 3.9 million Euro in the development of the infrastructure. Tree-lined play streets, a meadow, as well as a playground within a birch grove make for a high degree of living quality. To achieve this, a projected tram line has even been relocated and is now looping the district. The overall picture won’t be compromised by parking cars either since, according to another bidding requirement, parking space will mostly be created underground. “Wohnen am Campus“ is a model district in yet another regard: a healthy social mix is ensured by the diversity of occupants and builders. Unlike in most other districts of Berlin where rental housing is predominant, in Adlershof, the proportion of property ownership and tenancy is nearly balanced. Some projects are specifically geared to meet crucial demographic challenges. Catering to the needs of young people in training, a student village providing 380 accomodation units is currently being developed.
Moreover, the project “Future Living Berlin“ is designed to demonstrate, and put to the test, the potential benefits of technology-supported living in a vistors‘ centre as well as in “living labs“.
By Louis Back for Adlershof Special