Regionale 2016

How can the site contribute to the adaptable city?

A sustainable approach to land-use changes is one of the central challenges of Regionale 2016. A consolidation and upgrading of existing population nuclei is required in order to restrict further incursion of the landscape. In the 1950s to 1970s spacious single- and two-family residential areas grew like ‘annual rings’ on the fringes of many towns in western Münsterland. How can these residential areas – attractive due to their central location and generous lot sizes – be equipped for the future from a structural and design aspect? This is to be examined according to the motto “Living on the fringe – Developing new qualities” for the municipalities of Ahaus, Dorsten and Nordkirchen.

Regional strategy

A generation change is currently taking place in many of these properties due to their homogeneous resident structure – an occasion to search for innovative strategies to enable both change and continuity. The objective is creative use and further development of the existing settlement structure. Urban neighbourhoods and individual buildings must be conceived in harmony with their landscaped environment. New elements must be inserted into the existing system to give it an additional meaning and extend use options. How can the neighbourhoods be supplemented with vital functions, new building and open space types? How can the existing buildings be energetically optimised and brought up to today’s standards of comfort and freedom from barriers?

Ahaus – Town Centre East

The challenge presented by the residential neighbourhood from the 1950s with a homogeneous building structure on the urban fringe is to manage the generation change in the neighbourhood and develop perspectives for a new profile together with the ‘builder generation’. What opportunities are offered by controlled urban development of the neighbourhood? Ideas are sought for a sustainable transformation of a residential neighbourhood from the 1950s. At a neighbourhood level the question is how the public sphere can be improved to a high standard of design and revitalised with supplementary functions. With a view to the established housing stock, the goal is to develop exemplary solutions for this type of neighbourhood, including an energetic improvement and “generation-proof sample floor plans”.

Dorsten – Wulfen-Barkenberg

“Wulfen New Town”, a generously landscaped satellite town dating from the 1960s and 70s, is currently being geared to the future by revitalisation and environmental improvement. Single, semi-detached and row houses are being constructed in one section. The latter are situated in close proximity of the large-scale centre of Barkenberg. This neighbourhood is characterised by a distinct field of tension in social and structural terms. The resident structure in the single-family neighbourhoods is exhibiting the first signs of aging population; overdimensioned infrastructure separates the areas. New housing forms are called for to supplement the ‘major housing estates’; likewise proposals for alternative, joint energy concepts and improved networking of the neighbourhoods. 

Nordkirchen – Südkirchen

The outlying district of Südkirchen with a population of approx. 3,200 is located to the south of the famous Nordkirchen Castle, embedded in an agricultural landscape. It was constructed mainly in the 1950s to 1970s as a typical commuter neighbourhood in the countryside. Shops, commercial zone and social infrastructure (school, citizens’ bus) ‘still’ exist to satisfy basic needs. The town is striving to promote “area rejuvenation” and is calling for ideas for a future-oriented, family-friendly living. Furthermore, what forms of intervention will be required to turn the village into a lively neighbourhood that is attractive to new residents?