Zwickauer Strasse redevelopment and development area
"Magistralen are city entrances, first addresses, neighbourhood centres and at the same time caesura, barrier and transit space. They characterise the face of cities and are therefore the location of the greatest challenges and opportunities for the future of the city." (Hamburg Building Forum 2020)
This description applies to Zwickauer Straße, one of Chemnitz's main access roads:
The road, which runs along the floodplain of the Kappelbach, has the function of providing access to the Chemnitz Industrial Museum, the Chemnitz Trade Fair Centre, the "Garage Campus" project of the European Capital of Culture (former tram depot) and connects Chemnitz city centre with the attractive local recreation areas in the west of the city. However, the real estate, urban development and economic problems along the 6-kilometre section between Kappler Drehe and the A72 motorway are particularly prevalent at present. The picture here is characterised by vacant flats and shops, numerous (industrial) buildings in need of renovation, noise emissions and considerable quality deficits in the public space. The street space is heavily dominated by traffic and has little design.
The urban development and redevelopment of this area is therefore a focal point of urban development in Chemnitz.
Latest news
July 2026: Section of Zwickauer Straße to be redesigned – former Rittergutspark to be upgraded
Further measures will be implemented in the regeneration areas along Zwickauer Straße by 2032. These are designed to enhance public spaces and support private building renovations, land acquisition for project implementation, further conceptual development, and area management by a regeneration body. In addition, building owners can benefit from tax depreciation allowances when carrying out modernisation work within the regeneration area.
Former Rittergutspark to be upgraded
The Rittergutspark, including the Zinnteich, once formed part of the Schönau Rittergut estate. Today, the green space is, in places, heavily overgrown and is of little practical use. However, the site offers great potential for local recreation in the Schönau district. As a first step, the Zinnteich was dredged by spring.
At a workshop in April 2026, the City of Chemnitz and the architectural practice Querfeldeins presented the current plans for the regeneration of the Rittergut Park. Several design options for the Rittergutsufer, Rittergutswäldchen and Platz am Zinnteich areas were discussed. Further planning will now focus on a combination of the various options. The aim is to develop natural open spaces, improve the park’s usability and integrate it into the surrounding green spaces along the Kappelbach.
Construction work on the site will be completed by the end of 2027. At the same time, a number of park-and-ride spaces are to be created in the immediate vicinity.
Redesign of Zwickauer Straße between Schillstraße and Am Feldschlößchen
The redesign of this iconic street is a key project in the area. Following several public consultation rounds and the ‘Zukunftsforum’ in 2024, planning for the redesign of Zwickauer Straße began. This was followed by consultations with utility providers, and a feasible section between Schillstraße and Am Feldschlößchen was identified.
On 1 July 2026, Chemnitz City Council approved the comprehensive redevelopment of Zwickauer Straße (B-080/2026). In several construction phases, the road cross-section is to be modified by mid-2028, thereby improving the quality of the public space and creating cycle lanes on both sides, accessible public transport stops and safe crossing points. Newly planted roadside trees on both sides of the road are intended to mitigate the effects of climate change by providing shade and improving air quality. In the area around the tram museum, a narrow-gauge museum track is to be constructed over a length of around 130 metres and integrated into the carriageway.
Establishment of a discretionary fund
In April, a discussion session was held at the Garagen-Campus for interested parties on the topics of the discretionary fund and pocket parks. The establishment of a discretionary fund for the implementation of small-scale projects in the Zwickauer Straße regeneration and development area is set to begin before the end of 2026. This fund is a tool designed to support smaller projects and initiatives in the neighbourhood. Through small grants, it helps to implement ideas and initiatives from residents, associations and local groups quickly and easily. This helps to strengthen community-led development and encourage personal initiative in the neighbourhood.
Funding will be provided for small projects that improve the living environment, strengthen community spirit or contribute to the neighbourhood’s appeal. They will be financed 50 per cent from urban development funds and 50 per cent from third-party funding, such as contributions from participants, donations or other sources. A local committee from the neighbourhood is to be formed to make decisions on this.
Once the fund has been set up, further information on how to apply will follow here.
February 2026
The following measures have largely already been implemented or are currently being implemented with funding:
- Refurbishment of Zwickauer Straße 164, Garage Campus
- Barrier-free access from the tram stop to the Garage Campus area
- Creation of a play and recreation area at Feldschlößchen
- Zwickauer Straße 145, renovation of foundry hall (red brick building along Lützowstraße)
- Creation of masterplan for Rittergutspark
- Land acquisition for the purpose of developing Rittergutspark
- Area management and owner approach by WGS with StadtWohnen agency
- Low-threshold renaturalisation measures on Kappelbach and Stelzendorfer Bach (in the area)
- Planning services for the redevelopment of Zwickauer Strasse
The following measures have, for the most part, already been implemented with the help of funding or are currently being implemented:
- Refurbishment of Zwickauer Straße 164, Garagen-Campus
- Accessible route from the tram stop to the Garagen-Campus site
- Creation of a play and leisure area at Feldschlößchen
- Zwickauer Straße 145, refurbishment of the foundry hall (red brick building along Lützowstraße)
- Preparation of a master plan for Rittergutspark
- Land acquisition for the development of Rittergutspark
- Area management and engagement with property owners by WGS in collaboration with the StadtWohnen agency
- Low-impact restoration measures on the Kappelbach and Stelzendorfer Bach (within the area)
- Planning services for the regeneration of Zwickauer Straße