Perhaps you are wondering what 38 PF means here. It marks a point in Freiburg’s unique sustainable district. This is Vauban. The area transformed from a military base into a world-class eco-friendly neighborhood.
38 PF stands silently. It doesn’t mark a community border anymore. Yet, its presence connects to Vauban’s participatory planning. The City of Freiburg purchased the site. It envisioned more housing for the growing population. Squatters then occupied several barracks before any official plans. Students from the University of Freiburg created plans. They sought student and community housing. Many wanted Vauban to become green. They hoped for energy efficiency and a car-free community.
In 1994 activists established Forum Vauban. This group advocated for community interests. They sat at the decision table with the city government. The city announced a design competition. The goal was to find architects and planners for the new district. The community demanded a community-run center. They also wanted a public plaza and energy-efficient buildings. The city met these demands. The first new homes appeared in 1998.
Freiburg is seen as a birthplace of German environmentalism. Protests stopped nuclear plans in the 1970s. Activists promoted green technologies like solar power. The Chernobyl disaster pushed residents toward energy-efficient homes. They embraced solar power for the new district.
Co-housing also contributed to Vauban’s success. Baugruppen are groups of people building together. They finance, purchase, and construct a building collectively. These groups form the basis of Vauban’s housing. They allow for increased density and affordable housing.
The City of Freiburg and Forum Vauban organized the project. SUSI and the Baugruppen Coordination Group supported them. The City of Freiburg funded it. The federal government and the European Union also contributed.
The City of Freiburg oversaw the Vauban project. They acquired land. They aimed to increase housing. Project Group Vauban was a working group for governmental staff. The Vauban Committee served as a place for discussion. Forum Vauban was the sole community representative. Decisions went to the city council for voting.
Forum Vauban ensured community involvement. Activists and residents got a stake in decision-making. The group grew over time. By 2003 it had over 400 members. SUSI advocated for low-income housing. They renovated a military barrack for rental housing. The Baugruppen Coordination Group shared ideas and advice. They helped manage building construction.
Converting the military base was expensive. The city initially paid millions to acquire the land. They allocated more to complete the project. The redevelopment agency contributed to cleaning the base.
The project received funding for participation. A large portion paid Forum Vauban salaries. It also engaged the general public. Community members created District Association Vauban e.V. They continued the district’s legacy of participation.
Public participation focused on Forum Vauban. It also focused on baugruppen. The public engaged throughout the planning process. They went from initial design to physical development.
After the French army left, Freiburg began planning. The city purchased the barracks sites. They launched a design competition for a sustainable district. SUSI squatted in one of the barracks. They received a rental contract. Forum Vauban formed in 1994. They were included in the planning process. The city assigned Forum Vauban as the agency for public participation.
Forum Vauban secured funding from the EU and the German state. They employed experts to develop policy proposals. The city provided funding to facilitate their role. Forum Vauban nominated a representative to the Vauban Committee.
Forum Vauban advocated for a community center. They pushed for passive housing and a car-free district. The city incorporated the first two into the plan. They adapted the third into a car-light district. Forum Vauban coordinated a publicity campaign. They shared the district planning concept. They attracted prospective residents. This outreach facilitated the formation of baugruppen.
The baugruppen approach was attractive to the city. The city sidestepped private developers. Citizens did not worry about taxes. Costs were shared. Future residents determined community spaces. Groups applied for areas. The city built some groups. These consisted of ten or more families. The demographics were mostly families with children. The groups designed shared and private spaces. Forum Vauban provided support to the groups. They gave networking opportunities. They offered information about project financing.
So here stands 38 PF. It is a marker of the past. It also represents the Vauban community’s innovative spirit.