The vision plan was developed with the goal to further extend the city of Pforzheim by implementing an ecosystem that covers an immense area of 140 hectares. Within this vast space, radical and future-proof alternatives to conventional residential areas will be established. These will be based on the principles of nature and the surrounding landscape. Pforzheim is a ‘Stadtkreis’ of 130.00 inhabitants, situated in the Southern-German state ‘Baden-Württemberg, between Karlsruhe and Stuttgart.
Adaptive and sustainable design
The Waldstadt plan stems from a metabolic approach. Instead of adopting a rational top-down structure, the Waldstadt design is adaptive and dynamic, able to respond to the changing needs of the city and its surroundings. The vision plan is based on pre-existing, natural structures. Within a distinct ecological structure, remarkable living-and working environments with different functions and typologies constitute the core of the proposal – each responding to the relationship between man and nature. These environments will include modular, biobased buildings that are able to adapt and change their functions according to future needs and changes.
Balance between man and nature
The Waldstadt area is surrounded by woodland which forms the main inspiration for the design of a green, sustainable vision plan which considers vulnerable areas and the integration of nature. Inhabitants of Waldstadt will form a technological society with nature at its core. The area they live in will be a melting-pot of urban culture and natural landscapes that provides for a high level of biodiversity and human health through the wielding of natural principles.
Human Scale
Waldstadt’s strategy is driven by openness and participation. Local inhabitants will fulfill an autonomous and influential role when it comes to future developments. The introduction of common, public areas will encourage them to spark up conversation and truly live and work together. With the involvement of inhabitants, research will be done concerning sustainable living that is viable on a financial and socioeconomic level.
The end of this year marks the start of a new phase of the vision plan in which inhabitants are invited to join a participation process. Until then, the vision plan of Waldstadt will be further expanded.
Locatie: Pforzheim, Duitsland
Fase: Winnende tender / ontwerpfase
Functie: Stedenbouwkundig
Programma: Visie Plan
Area: 140 ha
Jaar opdracht: 2021
Architecten: Koschuch Architects / Zones Urbaines Sensibles [ZUS] / Marc Koehler Architects
Koschuch Architects projectteam: Veronica della Ventura, Yvonne Yuen Tsz Wai
