Filling the Gap – Ladenburg
Ladenburg, 2026
Ongoing project
Urban design competition 1st prize
In Ladenburg, in the Rhine-Neckar district, the 11-hectare former ABB site is to be developed into a modern, diverse neighbourhood – featuring flats, green open spaces, play and sports areas, commercial premises and cultural facilities. To identify the best ideas, Stadtentwicklungsgesellschaft (STEG) Ladenburg mbH, as the site’s owner, organised a workshop competition focusing on urban and open-space planning. The design by schneider+schumacher in collaboration with Carla Lo Landschaftsarchitekten was awarded first prize.
The winning concept develops the area into a new, self-contained neighbourhood which, through its small-scale, green structure, ties in with the scale and identity of Ladenburg and its historic old town. The industrial history and existing buildings will be preserved and further developed as identity-defining elements – acting as a link between the past and the future. A continuous, green east-west promenade running alongside the public facilities connects the varied open spaces to form a vibrant string of pearls within the new urban quarter.
The planned residential block is designed as a multi-layered structure inspired by Ladenburg’s old town – comprising three- to four-storey buildings with varying roof shapes, arranged with projections and recesses. Narrow alleyways will form between the buildings; at the heart of the block lies a communal, green courtyard. The historic Hemmerhalle will serve as a venue for events and become the cultural hub of the neighbourhood. The former Building A is being developed into a vibrant multi-generational community centre. The new town hall, a multifunctional space housing administrative offices, co-working spaces and start-up areas, is being built in the former Building N. The former industrial hall is being transformed into an open, vibrant urban garden. In addition, a new nursery and an educational complex comprising a music school and a special needs school are being built along the green axis, bringing new life to the public space.
Offices involved:
