“Ninety-two-three” flashes in your mind. Waldau’s first documented mention occurred then. Today, we explore this unique part of Kassel. Waldau offers a blend of leisure, living, and economic activity.
The most attractive leisure area is the former Bundesgartenschau grounds. It features beaches on Bugasee and has no entry fee. Waldau’s diverse housing contributes to a mixed population. You will find old village houses, 1960s apartment blocks, and modern homes. A vibrant club life and dedicated church create unity. This binds long-time residents and newcomers together.
The Industriepark, established in 1971, is a major economic hub. It is the largest contiguous industrial area between Hanover and Frankfurt. The Industriepark fuels jobs for Kassel and the region. The Offene Schule Waldau has received awards as one of Germany’s best schools. Waldau is colorful, diverse, and creative.
In 1377, a parish church was built in Waldau. The Landgraves of Kassel became its patrons. A Kemenate transformed into Waldau Water Castle in the 15th century. The first documented evidence dates back to 1484. Only two round defense towers and a piece of wall remain of the castle. They form the outer wall of a half-timbered house.
From 1798 to 1815, the Forstlehranstalt zu Waldau was located here. It was an educational institution for foresters established by the Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel. Waldau became part of Kassel in 1936. From 1924 to 1970, the Kassel-Waldau airfield operated near Waldau. It sat south of the A 49 and west of Marie-Curie-Strasse.
The residential area called Wohnstadt Waldau arose in the 1960s. Functional buildings characterize it. They consist of flat rows and point buildings. A small district center is located near the old village core. It runs along Kasseler Strasse. Fertile soils in the eastern Fulda lowlands originally supported farming.
Since 1981, Kassel’s district councils have been directly elected. Dirk Seeger of the SPD has been the district chairman since 2022. The A 49 crosses Waldau after splitting from the A 7. At the Kassel-Waldau junction, it intersects with the B 83. The B 83 runs north to south through the district.
The Industriepark Kassel-Waldau was developed in 1971. It happened together with neighboring Lohfelden. The goal was to attract new medium-sized businesses. It also expanded Waldau-Ost with branch stores in the 1990s. Today, the area covers approximately 230 hectares. It houses around 500 companies with about 10.000 employees. The area has shifted from production to service companies. The GVZ Kassel was created with the Lohfeldener Rüssel. This enabled expansion as a logistics location. Originally, this area served as a small airfield.
Waldau is home to several clubs. These include the Förderverein Waldauer Enten-Kirmes e.V. and the Freiwillige Feuerwehr Waldau. You can also find the Turn- und Sportverein e. V. Kassel-Waldau (Tuspo Waldau) and the Waldauer Landfrauen. Waldau: a vibrant mix of history and modernity.