Remember the Cold War? Scharnhauser Park tells a story of transformation. This area was once the Nellingen Barracks. It hosted a US Army installation and a helicopter airfield.
After the US Army’s departure in 1992, Ostfildern reimagined this space. The city transformed the former military base into a new urban district. Today, Scharnhauser Park stands as a testament to innovative urban planning.
Scharnhauser Park covers approximately 140 hectares. It is the largest urban development in the Stuttgart region from the early 21st century. The area was the location of the Landesgartenschau in 2002. This regional horticultural show helped shape its development.
The city of Ostfildern and planners Alban Janson and Sophie Wolfrum received the Deutscher Städtebaupreis in 2006. They were awarded for the model district’s construction. A key element of their design is a landscape staircase. It runs from the northwest to the southeast. This staircase connects different parts of the area.
Notably, the city prioritized infrastructure first. This ensured residents had access to shops and kindergartens from the start. Scharnhauser Park is an ecological model settlement.
Scharnhauser Park is designed for 9,000 residents and 2,500 jobs. A prominent feature is the kilometer-long landscape staircase. It gently slopes towards the south.
The city’s design features an inventive rainwater management system. The system keeps rainwater on the surface. The streets are visually enhanced with attractive details. Runoff is captured and filtered. This happens through stepped multipurpose parks and tree-lined boulevards.
The Scharnhauser Park has three Stadtbahn Stuttgart lines. These are Parksiedlung, Scharnhauser Park, and Kreuzbrunnen. Two bus lines also serve the area.
From military base to model city, Scharnhauser Park demonstrates innovative urban planning. It provides a blend of living, working and recreation. The transformation from barracks to vibrant community shows a commitment to sustainable development in Ostfildern.