Objectives and conceptual principles
Urban development framework plan
In its meeting on 18 May 2022, the city council adopted the urban development framework plan as an objective for the urban and open space development of Zwickauer Strasse (B-056/2022). This serves as a "compass" for the coming years, formulating important urban planning "guard rails" for the future development and design of Zwickauer Strasse. However, it not only acts as a strategic orientation framework on which planning, projects and measures are based, but is also the funding area concept for applying for financial assistance from urban development funding.
The approx. 107-hectare planning area is located southwest of the city centre of Chemnitz and runs through the districts of Altendorf, Kappel and Schönau. The area stretches between the railway line in the south and the Kappelbach stream as well as the Braustolz site in the north, the A72 motorway in the west and the Kappler Drehe in the east. Despite massive shrinkage after the political changes around 1990, Zwickauer Strasse is still an important industrial and commercial location today, with impressive industrial monuments testifying to the historical significance of the area under investigation.
However, the decline of some important businesses and the exodus of parts of the population have left their mark - the area is now characterised by numerous brownfield sites, underused areas and vacant properties. With a view to the future, the framework plan presents ideas and measures for creating a lively, differentiated street and its rear area. Four fields of action show the spatial and programmatic focal points, perspectives, recommendations and goals for the development of Zwickauer Strasse from a separate, thematic perspective:
- Business and work locations
- Living and meeting spaces
- Green and open spaces
- Mobility and movement areas
Brownfield sites and vacant buildings are to be revitalised and green and open spaces upgraded or newly created. In the street space, traffic is to be slowed down and emissions reduced. The associated reclamation of public spaces will contribute to sustainable urban development. Resource-saving, sustainable living and working in the city will be made possible.
The aim is to redesign and revitalise Zwickauer Strasse as a functional and contemporary residential, working and business area with a high level of urban quality and to further develop its function as an entrance area to the city centre.
The development of the framework plan was accompanied by various participation formats:
On-site discussions
The dialogue process for the joint development of an urban development framework plan for Zwickauer Strasse began on 17 July 2020 with the on-site discussion stations. A total of around 60 citizens accepted the invitation to enter into dialogue with the city and the planning offices at three stations in the study area (Kappelbach, former tram depot, Lutherkirche) and to contribute ideas and suggestions for the further development of the urban space between Kappler Drehe in the east, the motorway in the west, Kappelbach in the north and the railway line in the south and to discuss them with the help of large-format aerial photographs.
Online participation
The online participation started before the initial participation in the on-site discussions and was online from 10 July to 21 August 2020, with around 300 people taking part. Citizens were invited to contribute ideas and suggestions for further development and to assess the urban development situation along the Magistrale. Favourite locations and places with a particular need for action could be marked and commented on a map.
Future forum
The future forum on the framework plan for Zwickauer Strasse was the third component of public participation. Based on the previous analyses and participations (on-site discussions and online participation), possible options for measures for the development of the Magistrale were presented and discussed. A total of around 40 citizens accepted the invitation during the coronavirus period.
After the presentation of the process to date and the interim results, all participants were given an in-depth insight and discussion at three parallel themed tables, after 20 minutes the table was changed. The topic tables dealt with the overarching themes of living environments, public space and green areas and mobility and exercise areas.
Closing event
The final event for the Zwickauer Straße framework plan took place on 29 September 2021 in the historic rooms of the tram museum. In front of around 50 interested citizens, KEWOG Städtebau first explained the findings of the preparatory study and outlined the most pressing problems of Zwickauer Straße. The contractor team then presented the framework plan based on these findings and its development process. The results presented were received positively throughout and were subsequently the subject of lively discussion.
The development of the framework plan was accompanied by various participation formats:
On-site discussions
The dialogue process for the joint development of an urban development framework plan for Zwickauer Strasse began on 17 July 2020 with the on-site discussion stations. A total of around 60 citizens accepted the invitation to enter into dialogue with the city and the planning offices at three stations in the study area (Kappelbach, former tram depot, Lutherkirche) and to contribute ideas and suggestions for the further development of the urban space between Kappler Drehe in the east, the motorway in the west, Kappelbach in the north and the railway line in the south and to discuss them with the help of large-format aerial photographs.
Online participation
The online participation started before the initial participation in the on-site discussions and was online from 10 July to 21 August 2020, with around 300 people taking part. Citizens were invited to contribute ideas and suggestions for further development and to evaluate the urban development situation along the Magistrale. Favourite locations and places with a particular need for action could be marked and commented on a map.
Future forum
The future forum on the framework plan for Zwickauer Strasse was the third component of public participation. Based on the previous analyses and participations (on-site discussions and online participation), possible options for measures for the development of the Magistrale were presented and discussed. A total of around 40 citizens accepted the invitation during the coronavirus period.
After the presentation of the process to date and the interim results, all participants were given an in-depth insight and discussion at three parallel themed tables, after 20 minutes the table was changed. The topic tables dealt with the overarching themes of living environments, public space and green areas and mobility and exercise areas.
Closing event
The final event for the Zwickauer Straße framework plan took place on 29 September 2021 in the historic rooms of the tram museum. In front of around 50 interested citizens, KEWOG Städtebau first explained the findings of the preparatory study and outlined the most pressing problems of Zwickauer Straße. The contractor team then presented the framework plan based on these findings and its development process. The results presented were received very favourably and were followed by a lively discussion.
The scope of the master plan covers an area of 106 hectares. Individual development plans have already been drawn up within the area covered by the masterplan, thus creating the legal requirements for building development. A redevelopment area has been formally established for one sub-area.
Preparatory investigations according to § 141 BauGB - preparation of a redevelopment area
The preparatory investigations that had been ongoing since 2020 came to an end on 13 July 2022 with the decision to consider and approve (B-119/2022) "Zwickauer Straße". The investigations by the City of Chemnitz and the company it commissioned, KEWOG Städtebau GmbH, covered the area on both sides of Zwickauer Straße between the Kappelbach in the north, the Kappler Drehe in the east, the railway line in the south and the A72 motorway in the west.
During this time, an urban development framework plan was also drawn up, which formulates and presents important urban development "guard rails" for the future design of Zwickauer Straße as a street space and the entire area. Residents, owners and interested parties were able to actively participate in a variety of ways through owner questionnaires, online surveys, public interpretations, meetings in the area, presentations and dialogues at the trade fair and in the garage campus.
<pResults of the preparatory analyses:
Based on on-site inspections, statistical analyses and public participation, significant deficits and shortcomings were identified for the area under investigation, which justify the need for urban development measures to improve the area over a longer period of time:
Vacant commercial buildings, shops and flats, refurbishment backlog and maintenance deficiencies in buildings,
endangered listed buildings,
low proportion of green and open spaces, ecological deficits in existing green spaces and bodies of water,
Functional deficits due to the lack of a district centre,
Oversized traffic space and deficits in the Zwickauer Straße street area with accident potential, traffic and noise pollution,
Parking space problems.
The greatest need for action is in the eastern part of the study area. For this reason, the redevelopment objectives were determined and a "redevelopment area" was established on 13 July 2022 in accordance with Section 142 of the German Building Code (BauGB) by resolution of the city council. The redevelopment is intended to help redesign and revitalise the "Zwickauer Straße" area as a functional and contemporary residential, working and business area with high urban quality. The redevelopment area is to be further developed in its function as an entrance area to the city centre.