Cities of tomorrow face tremendous challenges: climate change, social inequalities, urban heat islands, and the issue of sustainable densification of urban spaces dominate current urban development debates. This master project applies these overarching questions to the planning area of Mainz-Hechtsheim.

The goal is to transform an underutilized area characterized by sealed commercial spaces and wasteland into a resilient, forward-thinking district that innovatively integrates housing, work, and social infrastructure. The central focus of the design is to create an inclusive and health-promoting urban space that is versatile, barrier-free, and climate-adapted. Careful urban design should introduce new qualities of public spaces that consider not only functional and economic aspects but also emphasize social resilience and the well-being of future residents. The challenge lies in designing a neighborhood that enables social diversity through mixed housing forms and community-enhancing public spaces, promoting intergenerational encounters.

The transformation of Mainz-Hechtsheim provides an opportunity to respond to global pressing issues with local solutions.

The design will address the following guiding questions:

How can sustainable and socially diverse neighborhood development succeed by integrating housing, work, and leisure?

Which spatial and architectural strategies help to make cities healthier and more livable?

How can heat islands be mitigated to create climate-adapted, resilient urban structures?

Which design elements encourage social interaction, participation, and accessibility in public spaces?

How can a future-oriented mobility concept be developed that prioritizes walking, cycling, and sustainable transport modes?

This project offers the chance to develop innovative and visionary concepts for an inclusive, climate-resilient, and health-promoting urban district. The designed solutions should serve as a model for future urban transformation processes beyond the specific planning area, acting as a prototype for sustainable urban development.

Schedule: Wednesdays, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Location: FG UDP: L3|01 R481

First session: Start: April 23, 2025, 10:30 AM

Examination: July 23, 2025

Contacts: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Knöll, Robin Kuppler

Language: German/English

Registration: Tucan

An excursion will be announced later.