Cologne CLOUTH-QUARTIER awarded for social neighbourhood development

The Clouth Quarter, a project of the Cologne urban development company moderne stadt GmbH, was awarded a "polis AWARD" in silver (2nd prize) in the category "Social Neighbourhood Development".

Around 100 municipalities, development companies, architects, property developers and initiatives such as building groups applied. Current projects from Germany were awarded in the categories Urban Land Recycling, Reactivated Centres, Social Neighbourhood Development and Liveable Open Space. In addition, outstanding work by students was honoured with the "polis AWARD Campus".

The top-class jury, headed by Reiner Nagel, Chairman of the Board of the Federal Foundation for Building Culture, includes 13 representatives of associations, developers, architects, real estate companies and cities. "The development of the Clouth Quarter provides a forward-looking answer to how the creation of living space can meet a high demand. The jury praises the versatility that is being created in the new quarter: private and publicly subsidised forms of housing are in harmony with social facilities, creative industries and sharing offers. The jury is appreciative of the successful integration of the neighbourhood into the already socio-culturally very colourful district of Cologne-Nippes and is convinced that the diversity of the neighbourhood has been achieved primarily through the successful cooperation of the various actors," reads the statement of the judges.

"We are delighted about the award. This confirms us on our path to develop the Clouth Quarter from a foreclosed former industrial area into a vital quarter. The award shows us that we are on the right track and spurs us on to develop further ideas in this regard," explained Andreas Röhrig, managing director of the urban development company moderne stadt GmbH, which has been developing the quarter for over five years.

The Clouth Quarter was built on the 14.5-hectare site of the former Clouth rubber works in the Nippes district. The city acquired the site in 2012 and transferred it to moderne stadt GmbH. In addition to condominiums, privately financed and publicly subsidised rental flats, discounted cooperative and factory flats as well as themed construction group projects are being built there. About 30 per cent of the units will be realised as subsidised flats. "A major focus in the overall development of the Clouth Quarter is affordable housing," says Thomas Scheitza, also managing director of moderne stadt GmbH. By the time the quarter is completed, probably at the end of 2021, 1,200 flats and 500 jobs will have been created on the former industrial site.

Social mix, diverse forms of housing, non-profit offers

The construction phase was preceded by comprehensive qualification procedures such as idea competitions for the buildings and open spaces as well as the selection of the building groups. This ensured a high level of acceptance of the neighbourhood among new residents and existing neighbours. This applies in particular to the green and open spaces, which serve to promote neighbourly togetherness. In addition, importance was attached to integrating the neighbourhood into the existing socio-cultural structures of the Cologne-Nippes district: for decades, the industrial site was only accessible to company employees. Now it has been opened up: New cycle and pedestrian paths connect existing neighbourhoods in the west with the Clouth site, Johannes Giesberts Park and the tram stop in the east. In addition, freelance artists and creative industry companies will be located in the Clouth quarter.

Furthermore, a focus was placed on the creation of social facilities. Non-profit organisations such as two day-care centres, a games workshop and a youth film school are to find a home here. The settlement of further educational institutions is planned. Innovative service providers such as two mobility hubs where, among other things, rental bicycles and car-sharing are available, complement the sustainable orientation.

The prizes were presented to the winners as well as to the runners-up in the five categories on the evening of 25 April at the "polis convention" trade fair in Düsseldorf. In addition, nominees and winning projects will be presented to the trade public at a separate trade fair stand. Last year, the trade fair with 180 exhibitors was visited by around 3,000 participants.