Sights
Bahnstadt Heidelberg
Rising heating, rent and running costs have forced many people to rethink how they live. Bahnstadt is two steps ahead: for almost 20 years this district has been known for its innovative construction. But what is the green district of Bahnstadt actually about - and is it really as green as it claims?
- Getting there
- Open route
The history of Heidelberg’s Bahnstadt
Converting the freight yard
The area was not always vacant land or a building site. It was abandoned territory belonging to Deutsche Bahn - disused freight yards and shunting grounds behind the main station, land that was finally to find a use again after years of dereliction.
”Campus II”
One thing is certain: without science, Bahnstadt would never have existed. The passive-house development stands out not only for its forward-looking design but also because a third of the original construction area (around 15 hectares) was dedicated to research institutes.
The “Campus II” project began construction in May 2010, so that Bahnstadt offers space not only for housing but also for business and research. Developing the site opened up dozens of opportunities, both to live and to carry out research.
Why was Bahnstadt built?
One hotly debated issue in local politics at the time was housing. Heidelberg was short of space, so living space was needed - or more precisely, land to build on. To get to grips with the housing shortage, the city decided to create Heidelberg’s 15th district and build on the former freight yard. Faced with rising energy and rental costs, and following the new environmental concepts of 2009, the decision was taken to make Bahnstadt as energy-efficient as possible.
The largest passive-house development in the world
Construction of sustainable housing has risen sharply in Germany in recent years, but nothing surpasses this project: Bahnstadt is the largest passive-house development in the world.
Building technology
Welcome to paradise for environmental engineers. Bahnstadt scores highly on its technology. Heat exchangers and heat pumps ensure efficient transfer between outdoor and indoor warmth.
Photovoltaic arrays cover the rooftops, making the most of the sun on hot, cloudless days.
New energy-saving concepts are standard here, from adjustable LED street lights to fuel cells in the basements. You will be surprised what lies behind those white façades.
What is a passive house?
A passive house is an energy-efficient building that manages to cover its own heating requirement through excellent insulation and heat exchangers, without much outside help. Such houses are often combined with other sustainable energy sources such as heat pumps and photovoltaic systems.
Passive houses in Bahnstadt
The passive-house approach has dozens of advantages. In Bahnstadt alone, emissions are around 80% lower. Smart-home controllers help residents track their energy consumption and identify weak points.
Green concepts
Bahnstadt is convincing not only in its research: the very design of the district was an environmental achievement.
Most of the residents’ energy demand is met by a sustainable wood-fired power plant. Combined with the energy efficiency of the buildings, this keeps CO2 consumption to a minimum. Further ideas such as collecting rainwater for the garden or small planted terraces are left to residents themselves.
Sustainability
Because sustainability should be a visible act rather than just a word, 15 hectares of green and open space in the new district were left undeveloped at the residents’ request. The animals benefit too: some 3,500 sand lizards and wall lizards share the district with their human neighbours and live there safely.
Transport connections
The transport links fit the forward-looking concept. At the centre of the district there is a low-traffic zone to reduce noise for residents, though driving through is not a problem. The neighbouring B37 provides easy access from further afield.
Public transport is a particular strength: Heidelberg’s main station connects the new with the old, linking Bahnstadt to the Old Town, so that even from the far edge of Heidelberg you have an easy connection to all the historic sights. Tram lines 22 and 26 at Gadamerplatz run to the south exit of the main station. Neighbouring stops such as Czernybrücke and Eppelheimer Terrasse (within Bahnstadt) are within walking distance.
What the district offers
Playgrounds of every kind dot the green spaces of Bahnstadt. Children and families will be amazed at the range on offer.
Bahnstadt has certainly scored on family friendliness. Places such as the Langer Anger, with its long water feature that is ideal for children to play in and cool off on hot days, show how open and welcoming the district really is. The Bahnstadt primary school recently celebrated its fifth anniversary.
There is plenty for the appetite too, with a variety of cafés and restaurants. Events such as the annual Bahnstadt run and the summer festival in July give residents a memorable time in the sun - and above all among people. Residents now insist on these small traditions.
Conclusion
Bahnstadt is an important centre of the future, of family life and of culture. The former open land was used to create much-needed housing close to the main station, and today flats sit between trees and terrace after terrace.
Shortly after completion, dozens of events for information, social life and culture sprang up in the district. Bahnstadt is a milestone in urban development and will remain a model for all future passive-house developments for decades to come.
Tours & Tickets
Tours & Tickets nearby
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