Wiesbaden is planning a new district: expropriations and rail connections at risk!

Wiesbaden is planning a new district: expropriations and rail connections at risk!

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 quite advanced. Last year, an ideas competition for urban and landscape planning was decided, and the framework planning is in the public tender. The award process will take around six months.

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

Legal aspects of the development measure

What exactly are urban development measures? They are a central instrument of German urban development law, which is anchored in Sections 165 to 171a of the Building Code. The aim of these measures is to sustainably develop areas in great need of reorganization, which also includes the participation of the affected property owners and the general public. These explanations can be found, for example, at 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 a legally binding development plan for the BKA will be ready in the second quarter of 2028. An agreement still needs to be made with the railway's infrastructure subsidiary regarding a “Erbenheim/Campus BKA” stop, which is crucial for the future development of transport connections. If it turns out that a 15-minute cycle is possible for the campus, this could enormously improve 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.