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Freiburg

Vauban: The Green Paradox

3.0 km108 min7 stops

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

Step into a radical 30-year urban experiment. Vauban was born from the ashes of a French military base, squatted by anti-nuclear activists, and transformed into a world-renowned eco-district. But what happens when a utopian, car-free, grassroots neighborhood becomes so desirable that its original creators can no longer afford to live there? Join an urban planner and an architectural historian as they unpack the brilliant engineering, the fierce community battles, and the uncomfortable gentrification of Europe's most famous sustainable suburb.

Itinerary

1

TOUR START

Paula-Modersohn-Platz

The main entrance square and transport hub, illustrating the car-reduced concept and the integration of the tram line.

0.46 km • 7 min
2

STOP 2

Holzheizkraftwerk Vauban

A highly efficient biomass cogeneration plant supplying the district with heat and power.

0.38 km • 6 min
3

STOP 3

Haus 037 (Stadtteilzentrum)

The community heart of Vauban, housed in a preserved military barrack, representing the district's grassroots origins.

Haus 037 (Stadtteilzentrum)

Pic by user:joergens.mi on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

0.27 km • 4 min
4

STOP 4

SUSI Wohnprojekt

An alternative, self-organized housing project born from the early squatter movement.

SUSI Wohnprojekt

Pic by Andreasklug on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

0.24 km • 4 min
5

STOP 5

Genova eG Baugruppe

A prime example of a 'Baugruppe' (co-housing cooperative) built by citizens without traditional developers.

0.32 km • 5 min
6

STOP 6

Georg-Elser-Straße (Play Street)

A parking-free residential street that reclaims public space for children and community life.

Georg-Elser-Straße (Play Street)

Pic by Andreas Schwarzkopf on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

1.36 km • 21 min
7

END

Heliotrop

The world's first plus-energy house, designed by Rolf Disch, which physically rotates to track the sun.

Heliotrop

Pic by Andrewglaser on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Where the tour takes place

Starting point and rough tour area – the exact route unfolds in the app.

Good to know

  • Ideal for Urban planners, architecture enthusiasts, eco-conscious travelers, and anyone fascinated by the collision of utopian ideals and market realities.
  • Best time Weekday mornings around 8:30 AM or late afternoons when the community is active, children are playing in the streets, and the neighborhood's unique rhythm is most visible.
  • What to bring Comfortable walking shoes and an observant eye for architectural details.
  • Mind the bikes Bicycles rule the roads here. Always look both ways before stepping onto a path.
  • Respect privacy While the architecture is fascinating, remember these are people's homes. Avoid pointing cameras directly into windows.
  • Listen closely The acoustic environment is unique. Take out your headphones occasionally just to hear the absence of cars.
  • Your voucher You can redeem your voucher for two years from purchase. Once redeemed, you have 14 days of access and can enjoy the tour as often as you like during that time.

Your guide

Tom Bennett
Audio sample
0:000:00

Tom Bennett

  • Urbanism, Infrastructure & Innovation
  • Northern England

Architecture and urban planning professional. Explains the city's hidden systems – from mobility to water pipes – clearly and vividly.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the tour after buying?

You see your voucher code right after payment – and you also receive it at the email address you entered at checkout. Redeem that code in the Red Thread app; that's where the tour starts.

When does my access start?

Only when you redeem the code in the app, not at purchase. From redemption you have 14 days of access to the tour.

Do I need the Red Thread app?

Yes. The free Red Thread app turns your tour into a vivid experience: with audio, a map, and thoughtful prompts, it guides you from place to place in an engaging and entertaining way. It's available free for iOS and Android.

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