SUSI

Hidden within Freiburg’s Vauban district lies SUSI. Not a person, but a pioneering housing project. SUSI stands for Selbstorganisierte Unabhängige Siedlungsinitiative, meaning Self-Organized Independent Settlement Initiative. SUSI’s story began in 1993, amidst a housing crisis in Freiburg. Students, facing skyrocketing rents and a scarcity of apartments, saw an opportunity. The French army had just vacated the Vauban Barracks, leaving behind 38 hectares of land and numerous buildings. While the city initially planned to demolish everything, the SUSI founders had a different vision. They envisioned a self-governed community. They successfully negotiated with the city to acquire four of the former barracks buildings, buildings A through D along Vaubanallee. These buildings, originally constructed in 1937-38, were structurally sound and ecologically safe. SUSI’s members, now numbering 260, live in these renovated buildings and a dozen or so Bauwagen (caravans) scattered between them. SUSI operates on principles of self-management. The highest authority is the members’ assembly. Smaller working groups and committees handle specific tasks. Decisions about daily life are made within the shared apartments, which house two to ten people each. From the in-house Schreinerrei (carpentry workshop) and Töpferrei (pottery studio) to the café hosting cultural events and political discussions, SUSI fosters a vibrant communal life. The project’s café also hosts cultural and political events. There are spaces for sports and even a Kinderkeller (children’s area). SUSI’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its renovation choices. Existing materials were preserved whenever possible. Environmentally friendly building materials were prioritized. Today, all buildings boast façade and roof insulation, and many of the old windows have been replaced with energy-efficient ones. Creating SUSI was a significant undertaking, costing 5.5 million euros. An ambitious public campaign in 1992-93 raised over one million Deutschmarks (about 560,000 euros) in low-interest private loans. The remaining funds came from subsidies for student housing (1.5 million euros), subsidized loans for social housing (2.1 million euros), and bank loans (1 million euro). For this investment, 7,300 square meters of living space was created on a 15,000 square meter plot. This includes 45 apartments for a total of 260 people. Rent is approximately 450,000 euros per year. The project’s low construction costs of roughly 435 euros per square meter were achieved thanks to the extensive “Muskelhypothek” – the residents’ own unpaid labor. To safeguard against future privatization, SUSI joined the Mietshäuser Syndikat (Tenants’ Syndicate) in 1997. This network of housing projects supports collective ownership and prevents properties from falling into the hands of private investors. SUSI stands as a testament to what a determined community can achieve. It’s a place where affordability, sustainability, and self-governance intersect.