Ingolstadt

How can the site contribute to the adaptable city?

The priority goal is to strengthen the old town in a sustainable and resource-saving manner. Viable solutions must be found to questions regarding mobility, frequency, the public interest and sustainability in the sense of creativity, health and well-being, in order to prevent monostructures and trading-down effects. A concept is called for that engages the different protagonists from all social and age groups in the use of space, creates an identity for the locality and permits a mixture of uses according to needs. The old town must be developed as a historically significant urban space, creating an adaptable living environment that adapts to ever-changing parameters.

City strategy

Ingolstadt is striving for the urban planning model of a compact city based on historic factors, natural conditions and the traffic situation. With all its diversity, the historic old town is the heart and cultural centre of Ingolstadt. The city’s identity and experience value are to be enhanced with the goal of inner development, the role of Ingolstadt consolidated as a regional centre and land used in the most efficient way possible as a precious resource. Consolidating the centre of Ingolstadt as a residential location also means creating an attractive environment, qualifying the public sphere and establishing community-oriented uses with a cultural focus.

Site definition

The planning area is located in the centre of Ingolstadt and marks the northern entrance to the historic old town. The study area embraces the northern old town along Harderstrasse and the intersection of Oberer Graben from the Harderbastei to the central bus station (ZOB) and Wunderlkasematte on Unterer Graben. This old town district is characterised by continuous block perimeter building with predominantly gable-ended, two- to three-storey buildings. The small-scale mediaeval building structure is interrupted by in part large-scale preserved military structures such as Harderbastei and Wunderlkasematte that were erected in the 14th century.

Future of the site in relation to the site family and Adaptability

Harderstrasse, an important entrance to the historic core, is exhibiting the first signs of trading-down, the effects of which must be countered. Harderstrasse serves as a traffic access to the old town at the expense of a pedestrianized, atmospheric street space. The priority task will be to reconfigure the streets as a living environment for all residents, and thus develop a networked mobility concept that prevents or breaks down barriers. Since the population is constantly changing in terms of numbers and structure, new demands must be integrated and the appropriate approach taken to the design of public space that satisfies changing demands. In addition to the preparation of creative mobility and a design concept for the public sphere of Harderstrasse, a thematic cross-link must be created in the Unterer/Oberer Graben area for the Harderbastei and Wunderlkasematte as historic monuments across the site of the central bus station. A concept is called for that permits different protagonists from all social and age groups to participate in the use of space, creates an identity for the location and permits a mixture of uses to meet demands, thus developing its own power and dynamism. Besides the wish for upgrading the streetscape, the goal should be to establish community-oriented uses with a cultural focus and to exploit existing neighbourhood potential for the purposes of sustainable urban development according to the motto “Ingolstadt – liveable in 2025”.