Residential district north of Frankfurter Berg – Hilgenfeld

Reason for planning
Because the population of Frankfurt/Main continues to grow fast, the high demand for additional housing will continue in the future; this will be met among other things by creating attractive residential areas. In this context, the aim of the legal zoning plan number 813 to be drawn up is to lay the legal foundations for the further realization of the “Hilgenfeld” residential quarter.

Development district
The development district is in the north of Frankfurt, on the edge of the Nidda Valley and to the north of the developed part of the Frankfurter Berg suburb. It is bordered by Homburger Landstrasse in the east, and the Main-Weser railroad track in the south. Agricultural land with orchards adjoins to the north. With the Frankfurter Berg light rail station in walking distance, there are good public transport connections.

The geographical scope of the legal zoning plan number 813 to be drawn up covers an area of approx. 17.2 hectares. The majority of this is undeveloped and is predominantly used for agricultural purposes (fields and pastures). In the east the geographical scope includes the existing “Taunusside” residential quarter.

Planning objectives
In a location particularly suitable for the purpose, a residential area is to be built with 850 to 900 new residential units, supplementary infrastructure, and ecological qualities. Different needs in terms of styles of living, construction, and forms of ownership will be taken into account. Clearly legible spaces, plazas, and neighborhoods will structure and green the area. An efficient road and pathway system taking the general and particular requirements of all users into account will also be built.

Requirements resulting from climate change will be taken into account in the planning, as will the retention and management of rainwater, and sufficient emission protection. Furthermore, consideration of the existing “Taunusside” development, the creation of a district center, links between the area and the open countryside, as well as the fact that the Frankfurter Berg light rail station is within walking distance will be accorded a special role.

Planning Progress
Originally, the idea to draw up legal zoning plan number 813 was resolved in 2001. With planning having been shelved for several years, in 2016 an urban development ideas competition was conducted. The results will now form the basis of further planning.

May 2017 saw the early involvement in the proceedings of the public and the authorities responsible for public matters. On June 29, 2017, an amendment to the resolution to draw up the legal zoning plan, and a framework concept serving as the basis for further planning were resolved.

The framework concept was elaborated further taking into account ongoing resolutions and studies and transformed into a land-use plan. Draft development plan no. 813 “Residential district north of Frankfurter Berg – Hilgenfeld” went on public display from Aug. 28 – Sept. 28, 2020, and the general public and the authorities were in this way given due opportunity to participate in the process.

The suggestions and statements received during the public display were evaluated. Before the land-use plan can be submitted to the City Council for resolution as a statute, urban planning agreements need to be concluded with the owners of the various plots of land. The conclusion of the urban planning agreements implements the resolution on building land with regard to Frankfurt’s urban development as approved by the City Council members on May 7, 2020.

The contractual agreements will hinge, among other things, on providing the necessary access infrastructure, ensuring there is subsidized housing, securing areas for communal and cooperative housing projects, and the provision of slots in childcare facilities. Consultations on these aspects have lasted longer than 2021.

Jury selects architecture practices for their entries to the competition for affordable and good-quality housing projects for Frankfurt’s new Hilgenfeld housing estate
In the context of realizing the housing estate to the north of Frankfurter Berg – the Hilgenfeld estate – back in 2017 the City of Frankfurt Dept. of Planning, Deutsches Architekturmuseum (DAM) and AGB FRANKFURT HOLDING together organized the very first architecture prize for affordable housing. The competition was entitled “Housing for All: New Frankfurt 2018”. The German Association of Cities Deutsche, the Federal Foundation for Building Culture and the Hessen Chamber of Architects and Urban Planners were partners in the competition. The jury convened on February 21, 2019 and selected four winners while making one special commendation, too.