WS 24/25 E3 - Destillate the Essentials

The Gries district is characterized by a rich history of immigration and a multicultural population structure, which gives the district a special dynamic. We look at the challenges and potential that this population development brings for urban planning. How can the district be developed in such a way that it remains liveable for all residents without promoting the risk of gentrification and displacement? A central focus is on the site of the former Franz Bauer distillery, which we see as a key location for new urban development geared towards the common good. 
The task is to integrate new functions as well as to improve the use and accessibility of the area. It is particularly important to find creative solutions for the sealing and limited green space in the densely populated Gries district. The course places particular emphasis on sustainable and socially equitable planning that takes into account climate-conscious aspects as well as the integration of green and open spaces, water and infrastructure. The space is not only understood as a collection of buildings, but as a lively, open district for alternative ways of life, experiments and togetherness. The aim is to develop a deep understanding of the principles of the “open city”, which offers space for appropriation and places the common good above private and economic interests.