Inner-city construction projects enter the next phase

Jena is growing and this requires sufficient living space, ideally in line with the principle of a city of short distances. And even though the trend towards working from home has increased as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, there is a lack of office space in the city center in particular.

In both areas, two current planning procedures are intended to ease the situation. Mayor Christian Gerlitz is more specific:

"By 2026, up to 215 new residential units and around 12,000 square meters of new office space could be built on the Eichplatz site and on an area Am Eisenbahndamm."

Despite their differences, what both projects have in common is that they are ideally suited to the requirements of sustainable urban development thanks to their central, inner-city location, good public transport connections and low land consumption due to building upwards.

Following the initiation decision, the preliminary draft is the next procedural step towards the valid development plan. From 09.07. to 23.07.2021 inclusive, the preliminary drafts of both planning procedures can be viewed by the public as part of the early information process in accordance with the German Building Code. In addition, there will be a public event for both planning procedures at which the preliminary drafts will be explained and questions answered.

Project-related development plan VBB-J 45 "Eichplatz-Areal Baufeld A"

One of the most exciting projects in the city center in recent years is the further development of the Eichplatz area. Based on the urban development framework plan from 2017 and the winning design from 2020, the specific development plan is now being developed. According to the urban development concept, 160 residential units with predominantly 2 and 3 rooms as well as around 9,000 sqm of office space are to be built in three staggered high points. In addition, commercial uses such as restaurants and retail are planned for the first floors. The newly created apartments and office space will further revitalize the city centre through the people who use them. This will also benefit the restaurants and retailers already located in the city center.

Mayor Christian Gerlitz comments:

"In April 2014, probably no one could have imagined that the Eichplatz area would ever be anything other than a parking lot. Although the result of the investor selection process was only available in September 2020, we are now already talking about the first concrete planning status. This proves once again that Strabag Real Estate is the right partner to develop and rapidly advance such an important project for our city."

On 19.07.2021 from 18:00, a citizens' information event will take place in the Rathausdiele of the Historic Town Hall, Markt 1, to explain the planning status of the further procedure. As seating capacity for guests is limited due to the pandemic situation, it will also be possible to follow the event digitally. Questions can be submitted in advance at fragen@eichplatzareal.de.

Further information:
https:// rathaus.jena.de/de/vorhabenbezogener-bebauungsplan-vbb-j-45-eichplatzareal-baufeld-vorentwurf

Project-related development plan VBB-J 41 "Quartier 22"

There was already a draft plan for the Am Eisenbahndamm site in 2018 under the name "Steinwegtower". As a result of the early public participation in autumn 2019, the developer decided to fundamentally revise the plans, taking into account current and future developments in the inner city area. The amended planning objectives, which primarily result from a significant reduction in the high point and a different mix of uses, were confirmed by the city council in May 2021. According to the current concept, up to 75 new residential units and approx. 2,800 sqm of office space are planned. Family apartments with 3 to 5 rooms will be built in Frauengasse, and up to 55 apartments with mainly 2 rooms and offices in Hochpunkt.

Mayor Christian Gerlitz explains:

"The housing situation in Jena is particularly tight in the segment of apartments with four or more rooms. As in many other university cities, families with children and students are in competition with each other. The new Quartier 22, with its planned mix of family apartments in Frauengasse and a wide range of apartments in the new Hochpunkt, will make an important contribution to easing this situation thanks to its proximity to the Inselplatz campus. I am delighted that, together with the developer GW Projects GmbH, we have been able to come up with an urban development concept in an intensive discussion process that can form a good basis for the further planning process."

The current status of the planning will be presented to the public on 13.07.2021 from 18:00 in the Lutherplatz 3 consultation room. As seating capacity is limited due to infection control regulations, please register in advance at buergerbeteiligung@jena.de.

Further information:
https://rathaus.jena.de/de/vorhabenbezogener-bebauungsplan-vbb-j-41-quartier-22

What happens next?

Legislation provides for a two-stage procedure for public participation in urban land-use planning procedures. The main features of the plan are set out in the preliminary draft, on which anyone can submit comments and suggestions during the early information and discussion phase. All comments received are reviewed and their relevance for the further development of the draft plan is examined and, if necessary, incorporated. The draft plan is put on public display for at least one month, which requires a resolution by the city council. The public also has the opportunity to submit comments and suggestions. The city council makes the final decision on the consideration of the comments received by the city administration and the statutes of the development plan.