Eco District Freiburg Vauban - Green city - Conversion of Old Military Bases

Area characterisation: 

Scale of the project: neighbourhood

Scales impacts from this NbS action should be assessed at neighbourhood and object (building, etc) level.

Urban density in which the NbS is implemented: high (dense city center, etc.)

Objective: 
  • Uses conversion of building
  • Develop new governance model

Objective was to create an environmental community and movement for an ecological, socially and self-organized city quarter with a lot of green spaces and affordable housing to meet the extremely high demand on living space in the city.

This project is a very good example for a dense green city and a perfect conversion of old military bases. The complete project was from the beginning a participative process to enable the inclusion of the residents wishes and suggestions to the planning process. All buildings are built to a low-energy consumption standard. Many buildings have solar collectors or photovoltaic cells and produce more energy than needed. Vauban is the first housing community worldwide with a complete positive energy balance. In the whole district the number of cars is reduced by 50%. The coverage and great usage of plants make Vauban to look like a big garden with houses. This image helps to convey the importance of green city structures and illustrates the ecofriendliness of Vauban.

The project is also combined with another friendly environmental solution: Bio-sourced materials

Transferability of the result: 

Temporal perspective

Dates (for project delivered): 1995

NbS classification 
  • Objects shapes (1)
  • On the Ground
  • Ecological restoration
  • Objects shapes (2)
  • On Building and Structures
  • Green roofs
Urban challenges
Climate issues: 
Climate mitigation
Climate adaptation
Water management and quality: 
Urban water management and quality
Biodiversity and urban space: 
Biodiversity
Soil management: 
Soil management and quality
Resource efficiency: 
Food, energy and water
Public health and well-being: 
Quality of life
Health
Environmental justice and social cohesion: 
Environmental justice
Social cohesion
Key Performance Indicators: