Kronsberg – Hannover

Kronsberg was built for the 2000 World Exposition on a 1,200 hectare site located in the southeast city limits of Hannover, Germany. The project aimed to build an ecologically-sound suburban community. Once finished, Kronsberg is expected to have a total population of 15,000 residents and approximately 6,000 dwelling units (City of Hannover).

Buildings
Kronsberg is comprised of predominantly high-density apartment style dwellings with no single-detached dwellings.

Transport
The Kronsberg area will be served by a new tramline with maximum 20 min journey to the city centre. Three train stations within the community link Kronsberg to the city centre and ensure train service is no more than 600 metres walking distance for residents. Transportation is a vital aspect of the development since Kronsberg is located 30 to 40 minutes by car from the central city and 20 minutes by rail.
An internal street network favours cyclists and pedestrians with traffic calming measures. Underground garages and residents` surface parking spaces are integrated in the inner courtyards. Parking is reduces to 0.8 per dwelling.

Energy
Goal: reduce CO² emissions and household energy consumption by 60-80% by:
– Use of wind turbines
– Use of passive heat recovery methods
– Offer incentives for the use of energy efficient appliances
– Maximize sunlight through building orientation
– Photovoltaic solar panels

Waste
Goal: Reduce household waste by 50%:
Mandatory waste collection sites for each building
Private and communal compost sites
On-site community recycling depot and containers

Water
Manage water so the area’s natural water balance remained the same after development:
Natural absorption of rainwater thorough storm water ponds and drainage ditches

Lifestyle
Socially, Kronsberg aimed to:
– Achieve a strong balance characterized by diversity and the development of social infrastructure
– Attract young families by designating housingspecifically for their needs and setting an upper price limit
– Provide a public forum and meeting places
– Fully integrate minority groups into the community by creating a housing project for disabled persons and an international housing project

Consumption
Kronsberg offers a full range of services within the community such as daycares, schools, healthcare facilities, shopping, and jobs in order to minimize the need for travel.
The naturally surrounding woodland and countryside were incorporated into the community for recreational and amenity purposes

An economic initiative lies in the strong live-work component within the development, as there are a significant number of jobs in the immediate vicinity. The retail shops and service industries in the district provide local jobs while nearby banking and data centres provide approximately 3,000 office jobs in close proximity

Literature
– City of Hannover (1999) World Exposition and Kronsberg District, Urban development program for the EXPO 2000 Hannover
– City of Hannover (2004). Hannover Kronsberg handbook: Planning and realisation.
– City of Hannover (2004). Vorwärts nach weiter-Hannover Kronsberg: From model settlement to standard practice.
– Kronsberg Environmental Liaison Agency (1998) Hannover Kronsberg: model of a sustainable new urban community
– Krause + Sayani, Kronsberg, Germany, Planning Sustainable Communities: Case Studies, retrieved 27.08.2009 from: http://www.ucalgary.ca/cities/Places_and_People/Chapter%204%20-%20Sustainable%20Community%20Case%20Studies.pdf,