Europan Germany

Landshut

Europan 16
Processes and Programmes for Integrating a Previous “Void” into the Urban Structure

 

Scale
S, M and L, architectural and urban scale

Team representative
Architect, landscape planner

Location group
Care – Dealing with New Uses

Location
Town of Landshut, Bavaria, DE

Population
ca. 72,865 inhabitants

Study site
ca. 16 ha

Project site
ca. 1 ha

Proposed location
Town of Landshut

Stakeholders
Town of Landshut, Free State of Bavaria 

Landowners
Town of Landshut, Free State of Bavaria

Type of commissioning
Supplementary studies in cooperation with the town of Landshut

 

Urban City Strategy

The town of Landshut is an independent town, regional centre, and capital of the Lower Bavaria administrative district. With its eleven districts, the city has a population of about 72,865.

Long term, the city of Landshut aims to implement an urban development plan. The future intention is not only to react to existing circumstances, but also to direct the town’s development positively, on the basis of targeted research and operating procedures. This also includes early involvement of citizens in various issues affecting the town. 

A new concept for the former prison could thus also form part of an urban development process that links new ideas with historical settings and thus redefines the approach to the city. 

 

Site Definition

The subject of the competition is the site of the former Landshut correctional facility on the edge of central Landshut.

The prison was built in 1905–07 as a modern, medium-sized prison with space for 180 prisoners, and the complex has been a listed building since 2012. It stands on the main development axis leading to Landshut’s historic town centre from the south, and work on the project should take this context into account. However, the project site needs to be approached with an open mind. All uses are conceivable.

Since ceasing operation in 2008, the existing building has only been used temporarily, and has been completely empty for several years. The aim of the competition is to transform the building and the site, to open it up and integrate it into the city, to design a process for this transformation, and to define new programs. 

What are needed are innovative ideas on how to deal with the old building. The study site includes the Isarpromenade, the directly adjoining Grieserwiese, the park and a large event lawn, the access area to the historic town centre and the upper part of the town (Dreifaltigkeitsplatz), and Trausnitz Castle. 

 

How should metabolism and inclusivity be developed and connected?

The competition sets out to demonstrate innovative ideas for the future development of the study site (red area) and, in particular, the project site (yellow area). This corresponds to the scale levels S/M and L in the Europan Europa statutes.  

The aim is to develop a suitable utilization program and translate it into an outstanding architectural, urban planning, and open space planning solution. 

Under the Europan 16 title ‘Living Cities – Lebendige Städte’, sustainable, mixed, and socially integral urban environments are to be created. Corresponding statements are desired on the spatial and programmatic linkage with the city as a whole, on the possible participation of the population (stakeholding), on new mobility, and on the topics of ‘dynamics of the circular economy’ and ‘dynamics of integration’. The aim is to make the place more lively and attractive again in the long term. However, the town does not want to commit to a specific use in advance. All ideas and implementations are conceivable. Approaches seeking to generate a high amenity value and innovative ideas on programmatic occupancy, opening up the site, and long-term integration into the urban fabric are also desirable.

Site Movie Link here

Site visit: 1 June, 2-5 p.m., Meeting point: In front of the armory opposite the prison, Wittstraße