City Tour Stuttgart: Unspektakuläre Erfolge, spektakuläre Zukunftshoffnungen und grundlegende Konflikte. Issue 3 (3rd July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Holl, Christian; Reuter, Wolf; Schönle, Daniel
• Is Part Of: DISP. Volume 53:Issue 3(2017)
• Page Start: 6
• Page End: 17
• Publication Date: 2017-07-03
• Subjects: Land use -- Planning -- Periodicals; Land use -- Switzerland -- Planning -- Periodicals; Urbanisme -- Périodiques; Architecture du paysage -- Périodiques; Aménagement du territoire -- Périodiques; City planning; Land use -- Planning; Regional planning; Switzerland; Periodicals; 352.79
• DOI: 10.1080/02513625.2017.1380381
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0251-3625

Abstract

Abstract : Stuttgart is located in a natural basin, which both forms the city and challenges it at the same time. Urban developments on green slopes with clear views across a handsome city centre belong to its strong points, whereas windless inversions with smog and a shortage of space belong to the weak points. Stuttgart is well known for its auto industry but is also known for its internationally recognised architecture such as the Weissenhof. With respect to building history, the famous Stuttgart School as well as engineers like Frei Otto have contributed to its reputation. In terms of urban planning, some remarkable decisions have been made that are unspectacular but efficacious in carefully dealing with the peculiarities of the city. They include an 18km-long, U-shaped recreation area within the city ("Green U"), the protection of hillside areas against the pressure of investment, and the transformation of parts of a city highway into a boulevard. Recently the highly controversial project Stuttgart21 and the protest against it received widespread response. The project includes a new underground through station that will yield space for inner-city development. However, citizens were often misinformed and had no real chance to have any decisive influence. Connected with Stuttgart21 is the conversion of an old railway carriage depot into what is now a recognised centre for cultural functions and the creative industry. Planning discourse and practice have gained momentum. The future of Stuttgart will be formed by those perspectives that envisage possible solutions to the development problems in the metropolitan region around the city in the basin.