Latest News: REAL's annual study trip to Switzerland and Germany
Our annual study trips always take in great projects. We consider topical urban design issues and research schemes worthy of note. We use public transport where we can and arrange for private guides where we want more detail. This year, Switzerland and Germany offered the following;

Gundeldinger Feld, Basel, Switzerland
Within the framework of the 2000 Watt Society Pilot Area, this is one of four major exemplary projects of town development in Basel. Gundeldinger Feld is the only project on the ground of the four pilot projects. A former production plant converted into a District Centre catering to the needs of 24,000 residents in the vicinity. Under a regeneration theme, "New life on the Gundeldinger Field", the scheme utilitises existing facilities for new uses as opposed to wholesale demolition and redevelopment and offers valuable space for small businesses, catering, culture and education. 

Vitra Design Museum and grounds, Weil am Rhein, Germany
The chair making factory was burnt down in 1981 and English architect Nicholas Grimshaw was commissioned to develop a masterplan for the Vitra grounds. By commissioning an array of architects with different styles, the site has vitality and a distinctive identity with buildings by Frank Gehry, Tadao Ando, Zaha Hadid, Nicholas Grimshaw and Alvaro Siza. 

Vauban, Freiburg, Germany
Vauban is a new neighbourhood to the south of the town centre in Freiburg, Germany, built as "a sustainable model district" on the site of a former French military base. Construction begun in the mid-1990s and by 2001, 2,000 people had moved in. City Planner, Fabian Thomas, provided our guided tour. Fabian worked on the scheme and is also a Vauban resident. He provided a valuable insight into the issues associated with such a scheme and how they were overcome. 

• 5,000 inhabitants and 600 jobs
• Car-reduced zone with parking on the outside of the development; most streets have 5km/hr speed limit; connected to the town centre by a tramway
• High density, individual design, often self-build
• Many sustainable measures eg. ecological materials, solar village, Passivhaus ultra-low energy building standards, combined heat and power station burning wood chips

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