Picture this a worker’s village nestled on a hillside. This is Kreinberg-Siedlung. Built for railway workers it’s a testament to thoughtful planning. Kreinberg-Siedlung in Schwerte Germany isn’t just houses. It’s a story. A story of community. A story of design.
The year is 1920. A new railway repair works opened in Schwerte-Ost. Old facilities were replaced. A new worker’s village was needed. Kreinberg-Siedlung was born. The first families moved in during August 1921.
By 1935 nearly 800 homes stood. Over 3000 people lived there. Reichsbahn Oberrat Behnes masterminded the design. A street bears his name. The Eisenbahner-Wohnungsgenossenschaft a housing cooperative founded in 1910 managed the homes. They still operate today.
Kreinberg-Siedlung wasn’t just about houses. It incorporated garden city principles. Buildings were carefully spaced. Green spaces were abundant. There were shops and social services. Each home boasted a large kitchen a bathroom and two to three rooms. Gardens and stables supported self-sufficiency.
In 1930 a social hub emerged. The Kreinberg inn with a hall and bowling alley opened. It also served as a cooperative center. The Kreinberg-Siedlung was enlarged in 1938. Schwerte architect Carl Hermann Josef Schmitz planned this expansion.
World War II left Kreinberg-Siedlung unscathed. After the war the village expanded further. By the time it was finished it housed approximately 4000 residents in 1000 homes. In 2001 the Kreinberg-Siedlung received landmark protection. Its unique features are preserved.
Street names reflect local history. Some recall land designations. Others honor locomotive engineering greats. Wittfeldweg commemorates Gustav Wittfeld. Von-Borries-Weg remembers August von Borries. Garbepfad honors Robert Garbe.
Am Quickspring street has unique architectural features. Two large apartment buildings form arched gateways. This design shielded residents from prevailing south winds. A similar design is found on Lichtendorfer street at the east end of the settlement.
Kreinberg-Siedlung. More than just homes. It’s a community. A legacy. A testament to the ingenuity and foresight of those who built it.