Freiburg – 12 principles charter for sustainable urban development (D) 2011

In October 2010 representives of the the Academy of
Urbanism came to Freiburg to conclude, together with the town government, a charter of 12 principles of a framework for future-oriented sustainable urban development.

QUO VADIS CIVITAS ?
The future model for new settlements should be the Compact City. This is a city concept consisting of independently functioning units, in which the aspects of everyday life can be laid out and accessed within walking distance by all members of society. The
City of the Future is a city of social and functional integration, cultural diversity, accessible education, resource conservation and regional dialogue. When outward growth is unavoidable or imperative for economic or cultural reasons, that growth should follow the principle of the Compact City. The following 12 principles are intended to provide the point of departure for the Compact City and as such serve as the foundation for the Sustainable City. They should be applied to all new development.

THE 12 GUIDING PRINCIPLES

SPATIAL
I. DIVERSITY, SAFETY AND TOLERANCE
II. CITY OF NEIGHBOURHOODS
III. CITY OF SHORT DISTANCES
IV. PUBLIC TRANSPORT & DENSITY

CONTENT
V. EDUCATION, SCIENCE & CULTURE
VI. INDUSTRY & JOBS
VII. NATURE & ENVIRONMENT
VIII. DESIGN QUALITY

PROCESS
IX. LONG-TERM VISION
X. COMMUNICATION & PARTICIPATION
XI. RELIABILITY, OBLIGATION & FAIRNESS
XII. CO-OPERATION & PARTNERSHIP

The Academy’s thanks are due to all those who have contributed to and suppported this initiative, but in particular to Professor Wulf
Daseking, Freiburg’s Head of Urban Planning for the last 20 years, for his vision and leadership; to Andreas von Zadow of JTP Cities (Berlin) for helping to navigate the project from its inception through to publication; and to Land Securities, our sponsor, for their support and encouragement throughout.

→ Download Charta von Freiburg (German)

→ Download Freiburg Charter