The 15-Minute Quarter

 

The METRO Campus construction project is an important step towards climate neutrality for the city of Düsseldorf. The quarter, which is to be built on the METRO site in Flingern, sets new standards in several areas. 

 

In 2019, Düsseldorf set itself the ambitious goal of becoming climate neutral by 2035. The city has already been active in climate protection for many years, launching many initiatives or being a cooperation partner in sustainable projects. “To this end, in addition to the strategy of conserving resources, the strategy of the mixed neighbourhood of short distances and sustainable, future-oriented design is being pursued in particular,” says a spokesperson for the city. 

A major project in this sense is the planning of the METRO Campus, which is currently already in the advanced conception phase and is to be built on the Metro site in the Flingern district. Due to the dimension of the project, the developer METRO Properties, the group's real estate company, has taken the precaution of seeking cooperation with the city. “We rely on collaborative processes, participation and acceptance of all players and stakeholders in close exchange with the state capital Düsseldorf. All perspectives were heard in the collaborative urban planning competition process,” says Jürgen Schwarze, CFO of METRO Properties.

Accordingly, the focus of the planning is not only on climate protection aspects, but also on demographic change and dynamic working and living environments in urban areas. The global METRO Group headquarters has grown over decades within the Flingern district of Düsseldorf. When it was purchased in 1967, the site was still located in an industrial area on the outskirts of the city; it now boasts a brilliant location between the city centre, Grafenberger Wald and Düsseltal. From an urban development and real estate point of view, the 9.2 hectare area of the campus therefore has very high development potential. The conceptual foundation for the development of the quarter was laid by the architectural firm ACME, London, unanimous winner of the urban planning competition. The construction work will be carried out by an investor and is scheduled to start in 2027. “There is great interest in the project within METRO. Together with the city of Düsseldorf, we are looking forward to the selection of the final investor and developer - the formal committee decisions and the subsequent transaction are expected in early summer,” explains Jürgen Schwarze.

“The site is an example of the step-by-step implementation of a sustainability strategy, which can also be seen in other urban developments within the city.”

Since the urban development concept places a strong emphasis on sustainable aspects, the aim is to set new standards in this context. Does Düsseldorf want to catch up with cities like Oslo, Paris or Copenhagen in the medium term? “The site is an example of the step-by-step implementation of a sustainability strategy, which can also be seen in other urban developments within the city. The topics of climate protection, climate adaptation and the mobility turnaround are important focal points for the present and the future,” according to the city. 

But isn't sustainable building and housing extremely costly? In Düsseldorf, scarce living space is a very big issue, especially because many new construction projects tend to be planned and implemented for high-income earners. Who is the target group for the METRO Campus in this context? The idea is to have a mix of uses in the tradition of or as a kind of complement to the neighbouring Flingern-Nord district. Accordingly, the newly planned public spaces such as three nurseries, a primary school or playgrounds are intended not only for the future residents but also for the neighbouring quarter. In addition, studios, greenhouses, workshops, office space and co-working spaces, mobility hubs, a variety of shopping and recreational facilities such as public parks and gardens as well as diverse gastronomic offerings are to be created. All generations and the entire spectrum of society are to find their place here. Social housing is also included in the plans, according to METRO Properties, and the housing action plan of the state capital Düsseldorf will be implemented. 

The planned mix is reminiscent of the idea of the
“15-minute city” developed in Paris: urban life should be able to take place in a neighbourhood where everything needed for daily life, as well as the workplace and social infrastructure, can be reached on foot in 15 minutes. “In this sense, the new Metro Campus should be an invigorating and complementary urban building block for the surrounding neighbourhoods as well. The quality of this mixed-use quarter and neighbourhood can be a model for other large developments in the city in the future,” said a spokesperson for the city. 

“With the urban quarter, we are creating a space that goes beyond classic high-density residential areas and allows for a variety of uses - a diversified, inclusive and lively neighbourhood in the middle of the Rhine metropolis Düsseldorf,” says Jürgen Schwarze and continues: “We are aware of our social responsibility. So the focus is not only on economic efficiency, but above all on quality.”

Appropriately, the Metro Campus also meets the challenges of climate change as well as changing mobility requirements. The urban design includes intensive greening of the roof areas and public squares as well as rainwater management and climatic optimisation of the building blocks. All this is intended to counteract the “heat island effect” and ensure a comfortable microclimate. In addition, there are species-rich vegetation areas and diverse habitats for plants and animals; where possible, roof surfaces are designed as solar green roofs. The concept is rounded off by the vision of a low-car neighbourhood in which residents can use well thought-out mobility solutions such as good connections to the public transport network, car and bike sharing services as well as packing stations and bicycle garages in the form of mobility hubs. The public spaces of the Metro Campus are to be available primarily to pedes-trians and cyclists. 

In addition, the preservation of existing METRO buildings such as the headquarters and other METRO companies as well as an interlinking with the neighbouring areas and uses is planned. However, the store will move to a new location on the wholesale store site on Ulmenstraße when the construction project is realised. This is to create space for the focus of the building project: more quality of life and climate protection in the state capital. •


Words Katja Vaders
Pictures Metro Properties