American settlement in Plittersdorf Group wants to resurrect neighborhood feeling
PLITTERSDORF · A working group formed by residents and members of the initiative "Save the American Settlement Plittersdorf" (RASP) has developed ideas on how their neighborhood can become a model project for urban living
The American settlement in Plittersdorf as a model neighborhood for communication and sustainability: This idea for the future contains much of what the builders had planned back in 1951. Lots of greenery, open public spaces and meeting places were part of the concept when the settlement was built for the U.S. High Commission.
A working group of residents and members of the initiative "Save the American Settlement Plittersdorf" (RASP) has already presented their ideas to the Bonn real estate association Vebowag, which owns large parts of the settlement. "We do not want to make a museum of it, but instead show how valuable this way of living is," said Rolf Fischer of RASP.
One of the concerns of RASP is that the gathering areas and opportunities for communication which had been created by the Americans, have been neglected over the years. Plans show that there were pergola and wooden furniture that invited residents to linger. With the settlement under historical preservation orders, part of this is about preserving the typical garden structure with paths that cross, groups of trees and public open spaces.
Idea to convert parking spaces into bicycle facilities
"New residents are often surprised that their children are allowed to play here all over the grassy areas," said Fischer. A reactivation of the gathering areas could also promote communication within the international neighborhood, said resident Klaus Roggenthin. "There are many ways to make more of this settlement," says Sebastian Kelbling. He appreciates the generous size of the apartments, which are respectable but not pretentious. Over the years, the residents have acquired expertise when it comes to historical protection and a green concept. For example, in the American settlement, the North American maple is typical, and this should not be replaced by other substitutes in any replanting, they say.
Another idea of the initiative is to convert individual parking spaces into bicycle parking facilities in order to alleviate the "growth of bicycles in front of the historically protected buildings".
The RASP initiative also remains critical and involved in the discussion about the demolition and construction of the kindergarten in the settlement. "We do not see ourselves as preventing development, but the creative potential of the residents needs more space," says Roggenthin.
Vebowag has taken note of the suggestions. According to board member Michael Kleine-Hartlage, however, it initially wants to concentrate on a solution for the vacant kindergarten. "In this situation, we will invest heavily. Then we can look at what comes next", says the Vebowag boss.
(Orig. text: Bettina Köhl; Translation: ck)
