New Schönhofviertel: Green urbanism meets a housing shortage!

New Schönhofviertel: Green urbanism meets a housing shortage!

The Schönhofviertel in Frankfurt is taking shape and new standards in urban development. A lively district is being created between Bockenheim and Rödelheim, which not only offers space for 2,500 apartments, but is also the first project in Frankfurt to be designed according to the sponge city principle. This concept serves climate protection and the intelligent management of urban challenges by collecting and storing precipitation. For Ursula Busch, chairwoman of the SPD parliamentary group in the city parliament, who was initially skeptical, the decision turned out to be the right one. The district's newly designed green spaces have become sought-after retreats for residents. Smaller areas with beds, trees, benches and playgrounds have already been completed, while a 28,000 square meter park in the middle of the district will be planted in the fall FAZ reported.

The attractive design and well-thought-out concept not only attract new residents, but can also serve as a showcase project. Access to large green areas is promoted by the innovative planning: an 80 cm thick layer of earth above the underground car park allows larger trees to grow, while spiral staircases on the facades serve as an escape route in the event of a fire. City councilor Omar Shehata, whose apartment offers a view of the S-Bahn tracks, is also concerned about the safety of residents. However, direct access to these tracks is currently not open to residents, which is causing discussions among residents, such as: Development city notes.

A comprehensive range of housing

With 314 completed rental apartments that were handed over to an investor by Instone Real Estate, the Schönhofviertel is well on its way to becoming a popular place to live. The total living space of the new units is around 24,000 square meters and also includes a four-room daycare center and two underground car parks with around 190 parking spaces. The plans call for a total of around 2,000 apartments, with around 30 percent of the living space reserved for subsidized housing construction. However, these numbers fall short of the actual need, as around 70 percent of households in Frankfurt are eligible to apply for social or medium-sized housing.

Another important part of the district is the planned hybrid elementary school, which offers flexible educational concepts and is expected to be completed by 2027. The mobility offering is supplemented by car sharing stations, parking spaces for e-bikes and a comprehensive charging infrastructure, which makes the district not only climate-friendly but also forward-looking.

Sustainability in focus

With rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events, the sponge city is an innovative model for meeting the challenge of climate change. In addition to the rainwater storage measures already mentioned, the renaturation of areas and reforestation are also part of the city of Frankfurt's strategies to combat climate change. These measures are not only environmentally friendly, but also contribute to improving the microclimate and groundwater recharge Frankfurt experience space explained.

The development of the Schönhofviertel shows how urban spaces can be rethought and underlines the city of Frankfurt's efforts to create a sustainable and livable environment for all citizens. The combination of modern housing, varied infrastructure and a clear focus on green design is considered a model for future projects.