Rot

Hidden on Stuttgart’s northern edge lies Rot. It whispers tales of resilience and community. Rot isn’t just a neighborhood. It’s a phoenix risen from ashes. After World War II, Rot became a haven for refugees and those returning home. The need for quick, affordable housing shaped its identity. The first structures emerged in 1928 within the old Malberg quarry. These buildings addressed the housing crisis after the First World War. More structures followed, some temporary, some permanent. A few still stand today as silent witnesses to Rot’s early days. Between 1938 and 1940, the Rotwegsiedlung added 101 homes and a kindergarten, expanding the burgeoning community. After the war, around 1,200 displaced Danube Swabians found shelter in the former “Schlotwiese” internment camp barracks. In 1948, a group of them founded the Neues Heim housing cooperative. With the city’s help and financial support, they built their first building in 1949 on Rotweg 58. This was just the beginning. Within four years, they celebrated their 500th apartment. Families moved from the barracks into new homes in Rot. By 1960, Rot housed 15,000 people, mostly in the four- to five-story blocks that still characterize the area. The name “Rot” became official in 1961. However, the rapid growth led to social imbalances. Limited space and small apartments created challenges. In 2003, Rot joined a federal program for urban development. The “Roter Herbstfest” in 2013 marked the successful completion of several projects. The citizens’ association, Bürgerverein Stuttgart-Rot, carries on this work. Rot continues to evolve. Starting in 2024, a two-hectare area will see the construction of up to 280 new housing units. This project, part of the International Building Exhibition 2027, aims to reinvent social housing. It envisions high architectural quality, diverse living arrangements, integrated social facilities, inviting open spaces, and a sustainable energy and mobility concept. Rot is more than just buildings. It’s a testament to the power of community. It’s a story of rebuilding and renewal.