Master Thesis Urbanism TUM
2021 - WS
Inner development of settlements in Bayern: Benningen
The spatial development of some settlements in Bavaria in the second half of the XX century caused a very high rate of land consumption over time. This development, characterized by single-family house typologies, generated, and still generates negative spatial consequences for the settlements themselves and their environment. It is the case of Benningen, whose outward urban development caused irreversible effects on its nearest environment, while its internal urban structure remained almost unchanged. This project aims to demonstrate an alternative to the existing and accepted urban development model in many of the settlements in the region that focus their housing supply on single-family units, the reproduction of a homogeneous “traditional” type of household and the use of new land, resulting in higher land consumption. The current model presents a clear path dependence, as not making more land available and thus “not building” single-family houses could lead to a loss of Benningen’s attractiveness and later a possible shrinking of the settlement.
An urban development strategy for Benningen was realized, which aims to increase the inner functionality of the original structure of the settlement as a basis for further inner developments. Increasing the inner functionality should guide the future development of Benningen inwards and work as a catalyst for the integration and further development of other settlement areas. Development should not only be inward but also address the concerns of the users of the space to be successful, reason why a workshop was held in Benningen, where a group of citizens participated and gave their opinion about how the municipality should be developed and where development potentials could be found.
Collage of the "Engel Areal"
