Car-free living in Hamburg – Am Kornweg, Germany
1.
Overview
Since 2005 a new development in Hamburg, district Klein-Borstel is in planning
stage. The initiative group “Autofreies Wohnen e.V.” with constructional attendance
by the Johann-Daniel-Lawaetz-Foundation and in cooperation with the
“Wohnungsverein Hamburg von 1902 eG” initiates this project. It is going to be
realised by the owner’s association “Klimaschutzsiedlung” and the already
mentioned “Wohnungsverein”. The project shall be car-free and therefore
arrangements were reached.
2.
Activity description
Background and Objectives
The new car-free development includes 65 accommodation units (30 freehold flats
realised by the owner’s association “Klimaschutzsiedlung” and 35 associational flats
realised by the “Wohnungsverein”) in 8 houses. At all approx. 220 accommodation
units shall be constructed on an area of 9,3 ha of a former plant breeding and the
neighbouring cemetery (400 ha).
The construction area is located in the borough Ohlsdorf in Hamburg, between the
Alster River and the Ohlsdorfer cemetery. Supply facilities, cultural and public
facilities as well as primary and comprehensive school are at a distance of 100m. A
kindergarten is planned on the area. Stops of public transport are generally well
reachable within walking distance like an interurban train stop in 100m and a metro
stop in 400m. A car-sharing-station is planned.
Implementation
In autumn 2005 the preparation of the project through the initiative group
"Autofreies Wohnen e.V." started. In April 2006 follows the covenant of a housing
association. Approximately the flats are ready for occupancy between spring and
autumn 2008. To enable a car-free colony, a voluntary commitment to live car-free
has to be signed by the residents.
To support the idea of car-free and sustainable living several measures are planned
to be implemented in future:
•
Car-sharing (either self-organised or offered by a professional provider)
•
Food-cooperation
•
Local exchange trading system
Regulatory frameworks
The status of car-free housing is regulated under private and public law. The
residents are bind by tenancy and purchase contracts not to own a car (private law).
If it is unacceptable to abandon on the use of an own car (e.g. in case of handicap
or disease), the user has to ask for the “green light” of the owner’s association. In
case of acceptance the owner of the car has to pay a compensation.
This compensation leans on the regulation about payment in the Building law of
Hamburg. In case of failure of the car-free idea due to a too high number of cars,
users have to pay an additional amount to the city of Hamburg.
The number of parking spaces is limited to 0,2 parking spaces per accommodation
unit (regulated under public law Building law of the Federal State of Hamburg).
Conclusions
Results and lessons learnt:
Most of the flats are already sold or allocated. The demand is high and the target
group of car-free households seems to be big enough.
Factors of success:
The common will, to go along with the idea of sustainable development and
neighbourly help and support forms the most essential precondition for the project.
Future prospects and potential for replication: not specified yet
3.
Additional documents/ links
www.autofreieswohnen.de
www.stattbau-hamburg.de
www.autofrei-wohnen.de
www.klimaschutzsiedlung.de
www.wohnungsverein1902.de
4.
Contact person
WEG Klimaschutzsiedlung
Volker Kuhlmann
+49 (0)40-27 87 66 35
E.mail: volker@alpha-consult-hamburg.de
www.klimaschutzsiedlung.de
5.
Author
Doris Bäumer and Jost Wilker (ILS NRW)
6.
Data origin
Homepage of “Autofreies Wohnen”
Homepage of “Autofrei Wohnen”
Last update of information:
November 2007