Wiesbaden is planning a new district: expropriations and rail connections in danger!

Wiesbaden is planning a new district: expropriations and rail connections in danger!

There is currently a lot to do in Wiesbaden, because the city council has decided on the “Ostfeld urban development measure”. The aim is to create a new district, but the path to get there is paved with a number of hurdles. As the FAZ reports, the preparations for this large construction project are already well advanced. Last year, an idea competition for urban planning and landscape planning design was decided, and the framework planning is in the public tender. The award procedure will take about six months.

However, the planners are optimistic: complete planning is expected to take two years, but initial development work is not to be expected before 2030. A central sticking point is in the purchase of the necessary areas - the landowners have to sell or exchange, and expropriations can be expected. An expropriation procedure for up to 14% of the area of ​​the BKA campus could come into play, while negotiations on more than ten hectares continue to continue for the new district.

Legal aspects of the development measure

What exactly are urban development measures? They are a central instrument of the German urban planning law, which is anchored in §§ 165 to 171a of the Building Code. The aim of these measures is to sustainably develop areas with great new order, which also includes the participation of the affected property owners and the general public. These explanations can be found, for example mtrlegal.

However, it is a challenge for municipalities to demonstrate the need for cities and the associated opportunities. The measure must be in the general interest and the area must have particular development needs. Projects like Ostfeld offer the opportunity to improve urban planning and create new living and working spaces.

Financing and infrastructure

Another point on the agenda is the rail connection to the new district. So far, there is no eligible connection to the rail network for the planned district of 67.5 hectares and around 10,000 future residents. An evaluative look at the project shows that although the city is examining alternative bus connections, the regional assembly clearly emphasizes the need for a rail connection.

A preliminary schedule stipulates that there is a legally binding development plan for the BKA in the second quarter of 2028. An agreement with the railway daughter of the railway via a stop "Erbenheim/Campus BKA" must also be made, which is crucial for the future development of the transport connection. If it turns out that a 15-minute cycle for the campus is possible, this could enormously upgrade the living environment.

The new cost and financing overview also shows that the forecast for expenditure up to 2040 is 840.3 million euros, while income is estimated at 630.6 million euros. A deficit of almost 210 million euros has grown in the meantime. In order to overcome this challenge, reserves are necessary. For example, it is pointed out that allocating just 1% of the residential building area through leasehold building rights would already cost the city 5 million euros.

The municipality has the right of first refusal on the development properties, but also has a responsibility towards the current owners. For them, the entire development means partially limited usage options and the possible expropriation of land. The city must ensure that the measures actually serve the “welfare of the general public”. The planned developments are intended not only to expand living space, but also to ensure the need for daycare centers, playgrounds and school buildings among the local population, because more than 10,000 residents also bring additional challenges.

Overall, it remains to be seen how the Ostfeld project will develop. The challenges are diverse, but the ideas for creating a vibrant and future-oriented neighborhood are tangible. Because one thing is certain: the course has been set for the urban development future in Wiesbaden and the next steps will be of great importance in the coming years.