Living in Baunatal: Start workshops on the future of urban development!

Living in Baunatal: Start workshops on the future of urban development!

The urgently needed housing development is currently being pushed forward in Baunatal. In recent years, many apartments have been built on so-called vacant lots, but the search for suitable properties within existing districts is becoming increasingly complex. The construction of new districts on the outskirts of the city brings with it additional challenges, including massive interventions in nature and the landscape. University of Kassel reports that six workshops will be installed in this area to promote a broad discussion on housing development.

The workshops, which take place in the Baunatal town hall, aim to bring together various actors such as politics, administration, companies, property owners and local residents. The wishes and needs of the local people should be incorporated into the exchange. Content-rich discussion panels will examine the advantages and disadvantages of various housing concepts in order to derive well-founded recommendations for urban development.

Dates and content of the workshops

The first workshops took place on March 6, 2025, where the results of a comprehensive study on future housing development, led by Prof. Dr. Uwe Altrock from the University of Kassel, were presented. The event attracted great interest and will be supplemented by further dates:

• 27. März 2025: Einführungsvorträge und Podiumsdiskussion (18:30-20:30 Uhr)
• 29. März 2025: Werkstatt zu Einfamilienhausgebieten (10-15 Uhr)
• 24. April 2025: Einführungsvorträge und Podiumsdiskussion (18:30-20:30 Uhr)
• 26. April 2025: Werkstatt zu Ortskernen und Einzelhandelsflächen (10-15 Uhr)
• 23. Mai 2025: Einführungsvorträge und Podiumsdiskussion (18:30-20:30 Uhr)
• 24. Mai 2025: Werkstatt zu Konversionsflächen (10-15 Uhr)
• 22. August 2025: Einführungsvorträge und Podiumsdiskussion (18:30-20:30 Uhr)
• 23. August 2025: Werkstatt zu Nachverdichtung im Geschosswohnungsbau (10-15 Uhr)
• 4. September 2025: Einführungsvorträge und Podiumsdiskussion (18:30-20:30 Uhr)
• 6. September 2025: Werkstatt zu Außenentwicklungsflächen (10-15 Uhr)
• 24. Oktober 2025: Einführungsvorträge und Podiumsdiskussion (18:30-20:30 Uhr)
• 25. Oktober 2025: Werkstatt (10-15 Uhr)

Interested citizens are invited to actively participate and contribute their views. The SDG+ Lab at the University of Kassel is also developing a platform for exchange on sustainability issues, supported by the federal-state initiative “Innovative University” from 2023 to 2027.

Sustainability as a defining factor

The topics of sustainability and urban development are central aspects in current scientific and political discussions. Sustainable urban development is not only necessary ecologically and economically, but also socially sustainable. The need to make urban spaces fit for the future is more urgent than ever. The knowledge highlights that a holistic approach and increased citizen participation are essential to achieve these goals.

The Baunatal workshops reflect this necessary interactive process by involving local communities in the planning goals. Sustainable development strategies that combine ecological, social and economic dimensions are seen as the cornerstone of a future worth living.

With all of these measures, Baunatal aims to not only create new living space, but also to ensure that this space remains inviting, sustainable and functional for all city residents. Further information and registration options for the workshops are available at sdgpluslab.de/baunatal available.