In the South of Freiburg, on the former area of a French army barrack site, the new Vauban Residential Area (42 ha) is home to approxiamtely 5,000 inhabitants. The planning started in 1993 and in 2006, after three development sections, the district was completed. Vauban is a community that strives to meet ecological, social, economical and cultural sustainability. Since its foundationa, the project has achieved remarkable results in the fields of energy-saving, traffic reduction, social integration and in creating a sustainable neighbourhood.
All new houses meet low-energy, passive-house or even plus-energy standards (0-30% energy of the average house in Germany needed – respectively 0-60% of the average new house).
A highly efficient co-generation plant operating with wood-chips (80%) and natural gas (20%) plus many solar installations provide the remaining heat (hot water) and 65% of the electricity in an environmentally friendly way. In addition, the community has a carpool and has hosted more than 50 workshops with the local residents.
With the support of Forum Vauban inhabitants have started many further activities such as establishing small co-operative shops and private enterprises, a farmers market and a self-organised neighbourhood-center. Currently, about 3,500 people are living in Vauban, 300 of those are formal members of Forum Vauban e.V. and around 1,500 are participating in co-housing projects.
Membership & Visitors
- Current members: 5500
- Open to new members
- Open to visitors
