Starting signal for sustainable urban development in Hanover-Seelhorst!

Starting signal for sustainable urban development in Hanover-Seelhorst!

The research project HULLS - Hannover Hildesheim Urban Living Lab for Sustainability began with a kick-off event on June 3, 2025. This took place in Hanover-Seelhorst and was designed as a participation festival that attracted around 100 participants. The event offered a barbecue buffet and the opportunity for open discussions. The aim of the project is the concrete and everyday design of sustainable urban development in a residential area in which Gundlach Bau und Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG will modernize eleven buildings with a total of 133 apartments by 2030. The planned measures include, among other things, the installation of photovoltaic systems, heat pumps as well as energy-efficient renovations and additions to the buildings.

A future-oriented concept is to be tested in a model district in order to transfer the experience gained to other residential complexes in the region. The project is scientifically supported by the University of Hildesheim Foundation, the Hannover University of Applied Sciences and the HAWK Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen University.

Active participation of residents

What is particularly important is the active participation of the residents, whose perspectives and needs are an integral part of the project. The aim is to develop solutions that comprehensively support the everyday lives of residents. These include, for example, car sharing models and booking apps for various transport offers. The long-term transformation process is actively shaped by the residents, which includes the development of socially, ecologically, economically and digitally viable approaches.

As part of the HULLS project, an interdisciplinary consortium of engineers, business IT specialists, architects and sociologists will work together. The project management is the responsibility of Prof. Dr. Christoph von Viebahn from Hannover University of Applied Sciences. Under his leadership, the team focuses on sustainable and holistic solutions for regional challenges in terms of mobility, logistics and energy-efficient living. The expertise of various disciplines is intended to create valuable synergies and contribute to the development of tailor-made solutions.

Sustainable urban mobility

A central aspect of the project is sustainable urban mobility. This aims to minimize traffic-related emissions such as greenhouse gases, pollutants and noise. At the same time, safe, inclusive and sustainable transport systems should be created that meet the different needs of all groups. This is in line with the sustainable development goals of the 2030 Agenda, specified in the German Sustainability Strategy, which aims to ensure access to safe, affordable and sustainable transport systems for everyone by 2030.

The change in the mobility system is viewed as a complex task for society as a whole. What is essential is a change in usage behavior, the interlinking of the various transport systems and the introduction of low-carbon fuels. Systematic and transdisciplinary mobility research is necessary to create a sound basis for long-term management of innovation and transformation processes.

The combination of theory and practice in projects like HULLS shows that it is possible to actively and collaboratively shape sustainable development. With its comprehensive approach, the project plans to provide important impetus that will not only impact the settlement in Seelhorst, but also future urban developments throughout Germany.