On 15 July, an excursion was undertaken to the French Quarter, situated within the municipality of Tübingen in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
The objective was to gain first-hand experience of this specific quarter and to identify the factors that make it distinctive. This will inform the adaptation of its elements and approaches to the Izyum quarter and other Ukrainian quarters with similar characteristics.
The tour was conducted by Andrea Garcia Enzel, a team member and partner of the IZYUM_recovery project. Mr. Enzel’s company, ARCHITEKTENWERKGRUPPE, is headquartered in Tübingen and has been responsible for the implementation of various projects in the French Quarter during the course of its development /1993-2008/
A concise historical overview is provided below:
The French Quarter is a mixed-use residential area that was constructed in Tübingen between 1993 and 2008.
Following the withdrawal of the French military from several large barracks in the south of Tübingen in 1991, the city saw an opportunity to modernise the area, which had suffered from urban planning deficiencies in some parts.
The land that had been converted was used to create housing and commercial space, which were both in short supply.
Following decades of practice whereby uses were separated, which resulted in mono-functional and lifeless residential and commercial areas in almost every community, Tübingen made a conscious decision not to resort to this planning principle. Instead, the city pursued the goal of recombining housing and work based on the European city model.
The quarter is worthy of examination from a multiplicity of perspectives. Its approach to development is noteworthy, as are its efforts to attract investors and the attention of the city’s population to its development. Of particular interest are the green solutions it has devised for the revitalisation of existing buildings and the surrounding area, its commercial component, and the organisation of places of remembrance for those who died during World War II.
Approaches to Development
During the tour, it became evident that the majority of buildings in the neighbourhood exhibited distinctive characteristics. The cityscape evinced no sense of uniformity, a quality often observed in Ukrainian cities with post-Soviet buildings. Each and every house in the French Quarter is distinctive in its own right.
The urban fabric is characterised by a notable absence of uniformity, with no prevalence of grey facades of identical height and alignment. Furthermore, the expression of individuality is not confined to the incorporation of glazed balconies in the ‘I see it this way’ style. The appeal of this neighbourhood lies in the straightforward and effective implementation of solutions that enhance the building’s aesthetic and functional appeal. It is noteworthy that these solutions are not novel, having been employed in the construction and revitalisation of the area in 2008. However, their continued relevance in the present context is evident.
The first photo 1 illustrates a house that has undergone a process of revitalisation. The architects incorporated lightweight metal structures into the facades, which function as open balconies. Furthermore, the addition of an upper floor has been incorporated to increase the available living space. It is noteworthy that all the buildings in the vicinity have commercial premises on the ground floor. This was a clearly defined stipulation set forth by the municipal authorities in Tübingen. It is the commercial component that imbues the quarter with a certain vibrancy and interest. The ecosystem of a 100% residential neighbourhood is inherently inferior to that of a neighbourhood which can serve itself. This approach to the organisation of residential hubs is also highly relevant in Ukraine today. In the contemporary era, it has become imperative for individuals and communities to cultivate autonomy and decentralisation.
The second photo 2 depicts the inaugural edifice constructed in the French Quarter. The construction company and the architects were charged with the task of designing a building that would capture the attention of the residents of Tübingen and stimulate new investment. Accordingly, the decision was taken to construct a facade of diverse character, incorporating a variety of volumetric and colour solutions. As can be observed in the photograph, no two sections are identical; each is characterised by a distinctive combination of balconies, windows, doors, cornices, and other architectural elements. Despite the inevitable criticism from all quarters, the solution proved effective in fulfilling its primary objective at the time. The construction of this building prompted a surge in property purchases in the area, which in turn inspired developers to pursue further projects in the neighbourhood.
The French Quarter is a car-free zone, so there’s no vehicular traffic allowed. The central part of the quarter is designed in such a way that pedestrians can safely move around the space without having to worry about giving way to motorists who have parked in the pedestrian zone. This is especially true in Ukraine, where it’s common practice to park vehicles directly at the entrance to private and apartment buildings, on lawns, on playgrounds, almost anywhere there’s a free space. Instead, it seems that the entire infrastructure is actually ready for the movement of vehicles in case of fire or an ambulance. Residents can also drive closer to their homes, but this requires written permission. If you don’t have it, you’ll be fined.
the article was prepared by Anastasia Gulak / curator of the IZYUM_recovery project/ the second part of the article will be published next week.
check the reels from French Quarter visit
