The large housing estate in Stuttgart-Freiberg is a typical example of urban development visions of social housing in the 1960s and 1970s. In response to the housing shortage of the post-war period, the urban development in Stuttgart-Freiberg combines a patchwork of different building typologies - from detached houses to huge apartment slabs. The estate was designed as a self-sufficient unit that included shops, schools, kindergartens and other social facilities in addition to housing. From the outset, it was also well connected to Stuttgart‘s city centre by public transport with its own tram line.

1964- 1973, the estate is now characterised by underused open spaces and a lack of social networking. Cleared lawns between the slabs of buildings and unkempt or overgrown, barely used public open spaces are a good illustration of this impression. So Stuttgart-Freiberg is an interesting example of the challenges that many of these large housing estates now face. Designated as a redevelopment area, deficits were tackled by upgrading buildings and open spaces and promoting social and cultural activities. However, the above-mentioned difficulties could not be resolved.

The proposed concept aims to transform the estate and in particular the open spaces through an integrative approach that combines the current requirements for sustainability and climate adaptation with social interaction and participation. An ‘urban biotope’.