Closing the gaps between buildings, erecting new structures on brownfield sites, adding extensions and additional stories: Given the acute shortage of housing in cities, there is a pronounced public debate on the topics of boosting densities and creating working and living space. This is likewise the case in Chemnitz, where a great deal of the city was destroyed in World War II bombing raids and some areas have remained unbuilt to this day. However, is the urban fabric is too dense, surely important green spaces disappear, traffic increases and the climate impact grows?

In a fascinating interview with Ulrich Hammerschmidt, editor in charge of the current affairs page at Freie Presse, architect Martin Teigeler and urban planner Stefan Kornmann explain the principles that AS+P believes should form the basis of any high-quality scheme to increase urban densities. After all, trying to strike the right balance between density and quality of urban life, on the one hand, and people’s general wish for privacy and the Federal government goal of using all available land, on the other, re-urbanization in conurbations often becomes a tightrope act.

“If there is no need to build on empty spaces then one should confidently leave those lots vacant and instead invest in the quality of the public realm,” comments Martin Teigeler, who has decades of experience specifically in housing, revitalization and energy-efficient building concepts.

“The debate should not focus solely on densities, but also on qualities, and by that, I mean quality of life. Is everything close at hand, such as cultural amenities, shops, schools or a kindergarten nearby?” adds Kornmann who is, among other things, an expert in masterplans as well as spatial and urban development concepts.

Click here for full article as PDF (in German)