Völklingen-Wehrden „Strategy for the modernisation of urban districts“
In order to also boost the local economy while improving the urban district, motivating house owners to modernise their buildings was connected to the support of the local traders in Wehrden. As part of a building exhibition, small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and craftsmen presented their services and with this were awarded contracts in the urban district.
Context
Source: Stadt Völklingen
The urban district Wehrden in Völklingen (pop. approx. 41,600) is on the Saar opposite the World Heritage Site “Völklinger Hütte”. The neighbourhood is mixed with regard to architecture and functions and its buildings were erected before 1945 to a large extent. The urban district shows the typical urban development problems of former industrial areas, e.g. insufficient green and open space, heavy traffic and shortcomings in design. After the surrounding heavy industry had to gradually close down, there is now a shortage of businesses, jobs and education. The social structure is characterised by a high percentage of unemployed people and people receiving supplementary benefits. Since 2001, an integrated measure approach for the urban development, economic, social and ecological renewal of the urban district has been assisted with funds of the Saarland Ziel-2 (Goal-2) Programme and the federal and state programme “Social City”.
Project description
Source: Stadt Völklingen
In the integrated measure concept for Lower Wehrden, a communal programme was set up for façade renewal and the design of open space. An architect based in the urban district office carried out “visiting consulting” for two years in order to inform single owners about funding programmes. By specifically approaching building owners whose shop rows were vacant, she mediated financing possibilities (max. 20% of the total costs or 2,500 euros) and help with designing. In 2002, a two-day building exhibition was carried out, so that the necessary modernisation work benefited local tradesmen. Accompanied by an attractive programme of lectures on building, energy and safety topics, the businesses had the possibility of presenting themselves for free in the trade exhibition in the neighbourhood centre. This event met with a very positive response and was rated as a success by all people involved.
Since the completion of the two-year consulting period, the urban district office and the urban planning office have been mediating information and support. Additionally, intensive public relation work takes place via the urban district newspaper and the internet. Funding possibilities are highlighted and urban development problem locations (e.g. vacant buildings) are pointed out in order to boost modernisation. In the meantime, making use of the façade programme has assumed a life of its own. By spring 2004, 30 façades had already been redeveloped in the area, among them the façade of the urban district centre at Wehrdener Platz. The fact that new companies moved into this vacant row of shops has a symbolic character for the revitalisation of the urban district.
Since the venue for the building exhibition was converted in 2003 and promotion of the local trade was extended beyond the building industry to small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), preparations for a decentralised building exhibition in 2004, the “Shop window Wehrden”, are running. Here, the vacant shops are to be made available to the tradesmen for free for a limited period of time to revive the shopping streets and improve the overall situation of local supply.
Project chronology
Year | Event |
---|---|
2001 | Acceptance into the federal and state programme "Social City" |
2002 | 1st building exhibition in Wehrden |
2003 | Renovation of façades at Wehrdener Platz |
2004 | Issuing of a design manual |
2004 | "Shop window Wehrden" |
Aims
Source: Stadt Völklingen
- Improvement of the urban district
- Promotion of local industry and small trade
- Mediating funds for renovating façades and modernising buildings, especially to private single owners
- Revitalisation of the town centre
Types of measures
Source: Stadt Völklingen
- Grants for renovating façades and designing open space
- “Visiting” consulting by an architect
- Organising an “building exhibition” for presenting local companies
- Compiling a design manual for the renovation of façades
- Public relations.
Innovations
Through intensive consulting it was possible to make funds have a multiple effect in the urban district. On the one hand, buildings and façades were renewed with the funds - involving private single owners - and on the other hand, the modernisation wave in the urban district was used for promoting local small and medium-sized enterprises in exhibitions and presentations. At the same time, redevelopment work was directed specifically to certain buildings in order to improve the chance of new businesses settling thanks to modernisation.
Sources
- Institut für Entwicklungsforschung, Wirtschafts- und Sozialplanung GmbH - Isoplan (Institute for Development Research, Economic and Social Planning) (2003): Halbzeitbewertung des Ziel-2-Programms Saarland 2000-2006 (Halftime assessment of the Goal-2 Programme Saarland 2000-2006). Saarbrücken/Berlin/Brüssel.
- Deutsches Institut für Urbanistik (DIFU) (German Institute of Urban Affairs): "Soziale Stadt"-Projektdatenbank (“Social City“ - Project database). In: http://www.sozialestadt.de/praxisdatenbank/suche/ausgabe.php?id=203
- Wehrdener Saar Echo (2003): Urban district newspaper. Issues 1/2 2003 and 3/2004
Further information
The projekt site ist to be found at postal code: 66333 - town: Völklingen - street: Schaffhauser Straße.
Poject site on Google-Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/bLTRbg9V1Wx
Last update: 24.01.2018