Experimental spaces for sustainable urban development
Experimental room Im Sampel in Mainz-Kostheim
The "Im Sampel" residential area is to be renovated. Together with the residents, the aim is to create a liveable, green and sustainable "Sampel of tomorrow". The neighborhood development encompasses the areas of housing, neighborhood, open space, mobility and energy.
Aerial view of the "Im Sampel" residential area in Mainz-Kostheim
Using housing stock creatively and developing it efficiently
The "Im Sampel" experimental space is located in the north-east of Mainz-Kostheim, adjacent to the Krautgärten and Am Königsfloß residential areas. The appearance of the residential area from the 1970s is characterized by a row development and high-rise residential buildings typical of this period, large parking decks and spacious green areas with an old stock of trees. Due to the planned energy-efficient refurbishment of the existing buildings, the municipal housing association (GWW) is working together with the urban planning office and the environmental office on an integrated neighborhood development.
The "Sampel of tomorrow" is to be designed together with the residents. The focus is on improving the housing supply and the climate-adapted redesign of green and open spaces. A climate-neutral energy supply, the addition of childcare facilities and new alternative mobility options should lead the Sampel into the future.
Over 2,100 people live in the housing estate from the 1970s. Today, Sampel faces numerous pressing challenges: The building stock needs to be renovated to improve energy efficiency. Above all, there is a lack of barrier-free apartments suitable for senior citizens. The neighborhoods are becoming increasingly anonymous. The "treasure chest" of the residential area, the spacious open spaces, are now outdated and appear unkempt. Car traffic dominates the public street space and causes numerous conflicts.
At the same time, however, these challenges also represent a great opportunity for the sustainable renewal of the residential area. Together with the residents, the aim is to find out what the Sampel could look like in the future. The aim of the neighborhood development is to create new qualities and offerings that are currently lacking in the neighborhood and thus achieve added value for people. The development in Sampel can also become a model for dealing with numerous Wiesbaden housing estates from this period.
Neighborhood center and square area at the Teufelssprung
Parking deck at Römerfeld
Central footpath connection through the Sampel
Central playground between Teufelssprung and Römerfeld
Residential playground in Römerfeld
House entrance Im Sampel
What are the goals?
The urban planning office, the environmental office and GWW are working on an urban development framework plan in the experimental space. The framework plan is supplemented by expert reports on climatic effects, energy supply and mobility. Several objectives are being pursued with the framework plan:
Energy efficiency: The aim is to ensure that the existing buildings are renovated to make them more energy-efficient and that a CO2-neutral energy supply is created for the residential area.
Housing supply: The existing housing is to be upgraded and expanded with new offerings. They should meet the needs of the residents.
Community: The identity of the neighborhood and the coexistence of the neighbors should be promoted.
Living environment: The living environment is to be sustainably improved and the green and open spaces are to be adapted to the climate and redesigned.
Childcare: Additional childcare facilities are to be created.
Mobility: There should be better options for getting around without a car.
A broad participation process forms the basis for neighborhood development. The residents know their neighborhood best and can contribute valuable ideas. Various dialog formats are used to reach as many people as possible. These include, for example, surveys, on-site discussions, ideas workshops and community events. There is also a "neighborhood round table". This is made up of experts from various fields, such as youth and social work. Their role is to advise and support the development process.
Rules of the game for sustainable urban development
The rules of sustainable urban development form the guidelines for the development of the Im Sampel district. For a colourful, lively and green "Sampel of tomorrow", the focus is on the topics "Living city", "Climate-optimized urban green", "New mobility" and "Renewable / grey energy".
Measures in the "Vibrant city" thematic area
Measures in the "Vibrant city" area
In the area of housing and neighborhoods, the aim is to upgrade the housing stock and promote coexistence in the district through stable neighborhoods:
Supplementing the housing supply in line with demand, in particular barrier-free apartments, smaller apartments for single parents, senior citizens, students and trainees as well as apartments with flexible floor plans for new forms of living (multi-generational or senior citizens' shared apartments),
Organization of an apartment exchange to make sensible and efficient use of existing living space and enable people to stay in their familiar living environment,
Space for ideas in the first floor zones, for example community rooms for district activities, daycare centers or concierge services,
Establishment of a district office as a contact point during the renovation phase and
Neighborhood-related services, including support for independent living in old age, educational counseling, medical care,
Expansion of the youth pavilion with a new youth and leisure center in Sampel.
Measures in the "Climate-optimized urban greenery" area
The many large trees and green spaces are the secret "treasure" of Sampel. Their important ecological and climate functions should be preserved. At the same time, this extensive open space also represents the greatest design potential for contributing to the revitalization and attractiveness of the residential environment:
Strengthening the neighborhood courtyards as meeting spaces,
Preservation of green spaces and unsealing of paved areas through a climate-optimized and water-sensitive redesign,
Revitalizing the green axis with a variety of integrative meeting places and offers for young people and young adults, and
Creation of an attractive neighborhood hub.
Measures in the "New mobility" area
The private car is the dominant means of transportation in the district, although the Sampel is very well connected to all transport networks. For this reason, neighborhood development should primarily promote local mobility for residents:
Strengthening an attractive network of footpaths and cycle paths that is very well connected to the surrounding area,
Unsealing the cul-de-sacs with safe crossing options,
Reorganization of the parking facilities and
Promotion of alternative mobility options such as car sharing, bike sharing and electric cargo bikes.
Measures in the area of "renewable and gray energy"
Converting the energy supply of buildings is an important part of achieving the climate protection targets in Wiesbaden. This is also to be tackled in Sampel through district development. The goal is a climate-neutral neighborhood:
Establishment of a CO2-free heating network for hot water and heating,
Reduction of energy requirements through energy-efficient renovation of the buildings and
installing photovoltaic and solar thermal systems on the roofs and facades.
The aim is also to investigate how the Sampel can serve as a nucleus for the heat supply and supply other residential areas in the vicinity.
Where is the sampel?
With an area of around 9.6 hectares, Sampel is located in the far north-east of Mainz-Kostheim, directly on the border with Mainz-Kastel. It extends around the ring road that gave the residential area its name "Im Sampel". The center of Kostheim is around 1.5 km away and is mainly separated by the railroad line and the Hochheimer Landstraße.
The large residential areas "Krautgärten" and "Königsfloß" are located to the north and west of the Sampel. Together with the Sampel, these areas were built after the Second World War to meet the demand for housing. Today, more than 6,000 people live there. There are many socially subsidized apartments, so that affordable housing is still available today.
To the east are the Krautgarten School, Albert Schweitzer School and the Kostheim cemetery as well as a freight line. The Käsbachtal landscape and recreational area begins behind it.
Sampel is well connected to the bus network. The train station in Mainz-Kastel can be reached on foot in just 20 minutes and there are many cycle paths in the area.
Aerial view of the project area
What is the planning status?
2023
From January - exploratory phase
When developing a neighborhood in an existing housing estate, the people who live there must be involved from the outset. In preparation for this, an "exploration phase" took place in the first half of the year. The aim was to get to know Sampel and find out what the residents in Sampel need. Questionnaires were distributed, discussions were held on site and tours were conducted with the residents. In addition, a joint discussion group, the so-called "Quartiersrunde", was set up, in which various experts and the city administration work together. This group is intended to help with issues such as participation and safety in particular.
July - The Sampel Dialogue
The first "Sampel Dialogue" took place in July 2023 around the playground at Römerfeld 5. At various stations, people were able to contribute their ideas and suggestions for the development of the neighborhood and obtain comprehensive information.
2024
From February - workshop phase
In February and March 2024, a "workshop series" was held at the Krautgarten School. Residents were able to discuss and help shape the topics of open space, energy and mobility together with experts.
September - The Sampel Dialogue
In September, the second "Sampel Dialogue" was held as a pop-up café in front of the former bakery on Teufelssprung to present the results from the workshop phase. It was also explained how the proposals and suggestions made will be incorporated into the framework plan.
2025
Continuation of framework planning and dialog process
The framework planning for the Sampel will be continued in 2025. Further Sampel Dialogue events are planned for residents.
Who is responsible for the project?
City Planning Office, Urban Development Department Phone: +49 611 31-6471 E-mail: staedtebauwiesbadende
