Imagine turning back the clock to a time before houses lined these streets in Freiburger Rieselfeld. This area was once a vast expanse of fields used for wastewater disposal. It’s hard to believe, isn’t it?
Freiburger Rieselfeld has a history that began with necessity. In 1891, Freiburg, a city of over 50000 people, needed a solution for its growing wastewater problem. The city acquired 500 hectares from the University of Freiburg. This land became the Freiburger Rieselfeld.
The word “Rieselfeld” itself means “leach field”. Wastewater was spread across the land. The soil filtered the water before it returned to the river. This system worked for many years.
After Nazism ended, Sinti people settled near Freiburger Rieselfeld. They had survived the Holocaust. They lived in the Haid district. This area was not yet part of the city. This meant exclusion for these inhabitants.
By 1985, the sewage plant was not enough for the wastewater. It processed over 90000 cubic meters each day. New laws required treating the wastewater before disposal. The old system was shut down.
The area was reborn in 1992. A competition was held to design new city districts. The “Süd-West” group won. They worked with architects to plan Freiburger Rieselfeld. Hans Rudolf Güdemann managed the project.
Soil analysis was done. Some soil was removed. Building began in 1993. Apartments were built quickly. By 1996, people moved into their new homes. The Clara-Grunwald primary school opened in 1997. The Kepler Gymnasium moved to a new building here. Tram line 5 connected Freiburger Rieselfeld to the city center.
The final phase of construction started in 2000. A park was added in 2001. A church and community center followed. The Kepler Gymnasium expanded in 2006.
The city funded Freiburger Rieselfeld by selling the land. The initial cost was 145 million euros. Land sales covered 85 million euros. To avoid similar buildings, each investor could only build 40 homes in one area.
Most apartments are in rows with gardens behind them. Along Rieselfeldallee, buildings stand close together. This street is the area’s main road. It is used by the tram line. Rental and owner-occupied homes were mixed to ensure diversity.
Buildings save energy. They use renewable power. Freiburger Rieselfeld is accessible to everyone. This includes people in wheelchairs and with strollers.
The Maria-Magdalena Church lacks a tower. It is a concrete building. Both Catholic and Lutheran congregations share it. They are both named after Mary Magdalene. A large foyer separates the two churches. The walls can move. This creates one large space.
In 2004, most residents came from Freiburg or nearby. One-third were under 18. Three schools and several nurseries serve the young population. Freiburger Rieselfeld was designed to provide local jobs. After construction finished in 2013, about 1000 jobs were created.
All streets have a speed limit of 30 km/h. This keeps traffic low. Tram line 5 provides access to the city center. It takes 15 to 20 minutes to reach the city. There are three tram stops here: Maria-von-Rudloff-Platz, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz and Bollerstaudenstraße.
A small park sits next to the Kepler-Gymnasium. It has a lawn and playground. The Clara-Grundwald-Grundschule is nearby. Its green roof connects the park to Maria-von-Rudloff-Platz. A sports field lies north of Mundenhofer Straße. A second park is in the southwest. It is a wetland biotope. It is watered by rainwater.
Bahar Kızıl, a singer from Monrose, lives in Freiburger Rieselfeld. Käthe Vordtriede, a journalist, was honored with a street name here. Freiburger Rieselfeld shows how a former wastewater site can become a thriving community.