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Jurassic Campus: Demolition or preservation of the Juridicum in Frankfurt?
Frankfurt am Main is discussing the preservation or demolition of the Juridicum at Goethe University by autumn 2026. Experts are developing solutions.
Jurassic Campus: Demolition or preservation of the Juridicum in Frankfurt?
Those responsible in Frankfurt are faced with a groundbreaking decision: the demolition or preservation of the former Juridicum at Goethe University will be discussed again starting next fall. Until then, the next steps will be developed in a “future laboratory” with the help of experts and interest groups. Head of Planning Marcus Gwechenberger (SPD) emphasizes that no preliminary determination has been made yet and that various options are being discussed.
The spectrum ranges from complete preservation and conversion into apartments to mixed uses and even a possible demolition of the building. Four variants are available:
- Vollständiger Erhalt und Umbau in Wohnungen
- Mischnutzung des Gebäudes
- Teilweise Nutzung des Gebäudes
- Abriss des Gebäudes
A feasibility study, which was prepared jointly by ABG Frankfurt Holding, the planning office AS+P and the engineering office Bauart, comes to the conclusion that a change of use of the Juridicum is fundamentally possible, but associated with high costs and challenges. Up to 143 classic apartments could be set up in the Juridicum, even if the ratio of living space to total area is suboptimal. Innovative clusters could improve utilization - but additional fire protection measures are required.
Groundwater management and energy aspects
Another problem is groundwater management. Currently, 50 liters per second are being pumped out, which is supposedly in contradiction to the Water Protection Act. Demolition could lead to a rise in the groundwater level, which could cause additional damage to the Juridicum. In the long term, new buildings erected during demolition could offer energy advantages. The high ceilings in the Juridicum increase the heating requirements and make operation expensive over the years. Frank Junker, managing director of ABG Holding, says that the Juridicum is not suitable for residential use and that the conversion is not economically viable.
A citizen participation process in 2011 and 2012 identified the Juridicum as a “dividing disc”, although its preservation was not supported. Starting in January, a six-person group of experts will continue the discussions and bring additional perspectives into the decision-making process.
Extension of the subway and mobility impulses
The decision on further planning now lies with the city council. Wolfgang Siefert, head of the mobility department, presented the results together with the SBEV, and interested citizens have the opportunity to find out about the feasibility studies at an open event on September 26, 2024 in the Mainarcaden.
While Frankfurt is diving into these groundbreaking developments, there is also international news that is affected: The US Department of Homeland Security is planning to... Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for South Sudanese nationals, affecting more than 5,000 people who have lived in the United States for over a decade. This decision could pose numerous challenges as South Sudan continues to grapple with the consequences of the civil war and the humanitarian situation remains critical.