Urban Sustainability: Freiburg

• Freiburg is a city in the south of German. In 1970 the local government set the goal of urban sustainability. There are several reasons why this decision was taken:

  • Freiburg has one of the youngest populations in Germany
  • The old town is cobbled, which reduces traffic in the city
  • The city is situated in the Black Forest

  
• SOCIAL PLANNING

  Social sustainability takes into account people’s needs. In Freiburg, the urban planning process involves local people in the planning process both at the local and city level. Groups of children give feedback and offer their opinion on all new city developments, such as new building construction. Other features include local people being able to invest in renewable energy resources and, in addition to financial returns, receive free football season passes. Also, financial rewards are given to people who compost green waste and use textile nappies.
• ECONOMIC PLANNING

  Economic planning involves providing people with employment. Many jobs have been created in green industries, which employ around 10,000 residents. A large cluster of solar panel manufacturers is based in Freiburg, contributing to its nickname, the ‘solar valley’, which employs over 1000 locals.
• ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING


  Freiburg is trying to improve and expand the natural environment in a range of ways, including:

  • providing energy for 28000 homes from burning waste
  • reducing annual waste disposal from 140000 tons to 50000 tonnes in 12 years
  • recycling more than 88% of packing waste
  • establishing 350 community collection points for recycling
  • collecting garden waste and organic food, which is used to generate gas in a biogas digester
• Green Spaces

  • 40% of the city is forested
  • 44% of the wood from the city’s forest is used for timber, with 75% growing back within a year
  • 56% of forests are nature conservation areas
  • the River Dreisam is unmanaged and allowed to flow freely, providing natural flora and fauna habitats
  • Only native shrubs and trees are planted in 600 hectares of parks
  • 44000 trees have been planted in parks and streets
• Freiburg's energy policy

  Based on energy saving, use of renewable energy resources, and efficient technology
• Freiburg plans to be 100% renewable energy powered by 2050
• Freiburg's plan to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2050


  1. Reducing energy consumption by 50%

  2. Increasing energy efficiency in factories, offices and homes
• Freiburg


  • One of the sunniest places in Germany
  • Solar power plays a significant role in Freiburg's energy solutions
• Solar power installations in Freiburg

  • Over 400 solar panel installations, including the railway station and football stadium
• Freiburg produces over 10 million kilowatts of electricity per year from solar energy
• Many homes in Freiburg meet their energy needs through solar power, and any excess is sold
• Renewable energy sources in Freiburg

  • Solar power
  • Biomass (rapeseed oil and wood)
  • Biogas (from organic waste)
• Biomass provides the largest proportion of renewable energy in Freiburg
• Biogas is produced from organic waste in Freiburg
• Sustainable water supply

  • Individuals use as little water as possible
  • Collecting and recycling water rather than relying on only freshwater from reservoirs
  • Home roof gardens essential for rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling
  • Groundwater needs to be protected from pollution
  • Greenspaces filter pollutants as water passes through
• Wastewater system in Freiburg

  1. Rainwater retained

  2. Rainwater reused

  3. Rainwater seeps back into the ground
• Financial incentives


  Offered to local people for using water sparingly
• Water conservation in Vauban district

  1. Collecting rainwater for use within homes

  2. Green roofs

  3. Pervious pavements to allow water to soak through

  4. Unpaved tramways to allow infiltration

  5. Drainage wetlands
• Excess water from the River Dreisam is stored, which can be used in the city
• Sustainable water supply

  • Individuals use as little water as possible
  • Collecting and recycling water rather than relying on only freshwater from reservoirs
  • Home roof gardens essential for rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling
  • Groundwater needs to be protected from pollution
  • Greenspaces filter pollutants as water passes through
• Wastewater system in Freiburg

  1. Rainwater retained

  2. Rainwater reused

  3. Rainwater seeps back into the ground
• Financial incentives


  Offered to local people for using water sparingly
• Water conservation in Vauban district

  1. Collecting rainwater for use within homes

  2. Green roofs

  3. Pervious pavements to allow water to soak through

  4. Unpaved tramways to allow infiltration

  5. Drainage wetlands
• Excess water from the River Dreisam


  Stored and can be used in the city