The Hollerland Project
Bremen, Germany

Car Free Housing

Abstract

The car free housing project in Bremen is an example of a new approach to urban planning that encourages a car-free lifestyle. Car free housing is where car use is the exception rather than the rule. The scheme, with certain exceptions, totally excludes cars and is designed for people who do not own cars at all. The concept is intended to enhance thequality of life of the inhabitants, by eliminating the negative effects of traffic, noise-reduction, better air quality, safety for children, and more green space, as well as encouraging sustainable modes of transport and energy-saving. Advantages are offered to the people who do not possess cars, rather than to the car-owners.

Policy Goals

The goal is to emphasize the advantages of urban life, such as accessibility to social and cultural infrastructure, avoiding the disadvantages of the city, such as noise and dangers for children. Car free housing encourages a car-independent lifestyle, while providing various opportunities for good access to the city. Car-free housing is seen as a step towards a sustainable city.

Present Stage of Development

Work on the technical infrastructure has already begun. However, because of a severe recession in the general housing market, this project has been postponed, in a similar way to conventional housing projects in Bremen.

Background Information

Bremen suffers from problems of congestion, pollution and excessive use of space, due to intensive use of private cars. The city decided to develop policy responses to address these problems. These included the development of the public transport network, of two-wheeled vehicles, and of car sharing schemes. Furthermore, it was decided to design a neighbourhood for inhabitants without cars. The Hollerland project will consist of 210 housing units of which one quarter will be terraced houses on an area of approximately 25.000 m2, 7 km from the city centre. The project site had to meet three conditions: adequate connections with public transport and two-wheeled vehicle networks, diversity of adjacent urban functions and proximity to substantial natural open space. The project incorporates an inner access network of purely pedestrian areas, a parking lot (30 spaces) provided for visitors and the handicapped, and StadtAuto car-sharing vehicles. Compared to conventional estates the space and costs for about 150 parking spaces will be saved. The target groups for the project include households without a car and people for whom 'one car is too much and no car would not be enough'.

Implementation

Strategy

The Hollerland project will not make Bremen a car-free city. However, the project is intended to open up new perspectives in towns and cities either for the planning of peripheral settlements or for an integrative approach to transport planning, which encourages people to be mobile without cars.

Activities

A series of sociological surveys showed that the inhabitants of Bremen welcomed the idea of a car free neighbourhood. A press article in June 1992 produced considerable resonance in the media and within a short time over 300 enquires were made by interested households of which 72% did not own a car. The details of the project have been developed via meetings and round-table workshops together with the representatives of the prospective residents. The planning framework was negotiated, and the plan for the project 'car free housing' was finalised in April 1994.

Partners

Developed from seminars at Bremen University, the Hollerland project is the result of active planning of the city-state administration (Ministry of Environmental Protection and Urban Development and Building Department) and housing developers. As administrative barriers were removed and the extent of public interest became apparent, a housing organisation which administered an area under consideration (GEWOBA) also became enthusiastic. The project will be implemented under normal market conditions for a cost of DM 50m. The planning process was subsidized by the European Commission (DG XI).

Analysis

Results

The concept of car-free housing has been received enthusiastically throughout Germany. The project is awaiting improved economic conditions. In the wake of the Hollerland project, a co-operative of environmentally committed people launched a housing project of 28 units in Grünenstrasse, located at the edge of the inner city, which was completed in November 1995. Participants who owned cars either sold them or left the co-operative.

Barriers and Conflicts

There are numerous problems on the way to a car-free neighbourhood, including the question as to whether a tenant should be legally obliged not to own a car. This is possible on the basis of a voluntary commitment, but the desirability of determining this by contract is questionable. The attractiveness of such schemes in themselves may be sufficiently convincing and more effective than regulation by contract. It is also clear that a car owner would not wish to live in a neighbourhood without parking spaces. However, the biggest administrative obstacle to overcome, lies in the Reich Garage Code of 1939. This established the principle of obligatory garage space, which is still found in the Land Building Codes throughout Germany.

Lessons Learned

Four essential steps underpinning the success of a sustainable, non car-oriented urban development have been identified:

Further information

Michael Glotz-Richter
Freie Hansestadt Bremen
Senator für Umweltschutz
Tel: +49-421-361 6703
Fax: +49-421-361 10875

Acknowledgements

The original text for this project summary was developed by Beture Setame (September, 1994). Revision by EURONET, 1996..

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