Back in summer 2015, the Environment, Transport and Planning Committee (UVPA for short) adopted initial, fundamental objectives for the development of the large parking lot. A competition to develop the district was launched by the city of Erlangen in 2020. The Dortmund planning office scheuvens + wachten plus was commissioned to draw up the urban development framework plan in summer 2021.

Outline planning is an informal instrument of urban development and serves to develop an urban design. This forms the basis for subsequent urban land-use planning, which becomes legally binding by means of development plans.

Numerous coordination processes and public information are carried out during the framework planning for Regnitzstadt. In summer 2023, the preliminary draft including the explanatory report was submitted to the UVPA as a communication for information. The more detailed draft of the framework plan was then drawn up.

The current status of the outline planning was approved by the City Council in summer 2024. It is therefore used as the basis for further processing.

View a brochure on the framework plan.

Further expert opinions, feasibility studies and plans are currently being drawn up on the basis of the urban development framework plan (2024). This will prepare the binding urban land-use planning.

The public will be informed and involved in appropriate formats as the project progresses.

The following objectives were adopted with the project definition on 29.06.2023 in the city council (see "Annex 2 Project objectives")

• Creation of a striking entrance to the city on the "Erlangen scale"
• Vibrant, mixed-use quarter
• Affordable housing and social mix
• Promote neighborhood and social interaction
• Blue and green infrastructure for climate adaptation
• Integrated, energy-efficient neighborhood concept
• Overcoming existing barriers
• Upgrading the mobility hub
• Maintaining its function as a central parking facility
• Intelligent solutions for managing traffic noise
• Transparent planning processes and participation opportunities

For a project of the size and complexity of Regnitzstadt, a longer-term planning and implementation horizon must be set. The timeline is also regularly reviewed and updated if necessary.

Once the outline planning is available, further fundamental expert opinions and concepts are currently being drawn up in preparation for the urban land-use planning. Regnitzstadt will be divided into modules, for each of which separate development plans will be developed. The plan is to start binding urban land-use planning and development planning for the first module in the course of 2026.

The first module will be the mobility hub and parking structures to ensure that the central functions of the large parking lot are maintained in the future.

Further modules in the north and south with new areas for residential and commercial use will then be developed.

Marketing of the plots is set to begin towards the end of the 2020s. The realization of Regnitzstadt with development, public spaces and building construction is expected to be completed in the mid-2030s.

With its location close to the train station, the Regnitzstadt is optimally connected to local and long-distance public transport. A stop with a turning loop for the Stadt-Umland-Bahn (StUB) is also planned. With the construction of the StUB, the inner-city bus network will be adapted. A connection point for city and district buses is planned. It will also be possible to change to long-distance buses here.

Cycling is also an essential part of the mobility concept. Particularly noteworthy here is the priority cycle route that closes the gap between the west and east of Erlangen. A bicycle parking garage with around 2,000 parking spaces is to be built to the west of the station.

Pedestrian traffic also has a high priority. A low-barrier connection to all areas of the mobility hub is guaranteed. The green-blue boulevard is a particularly attractive connection to the northern quarter. The themes of this traffic-calmed boulevard are greenery and the handling of rainwater in the spirit of the sponge city. A water-permeable and green design serves the requirements of a climate-adapted neighborhood development.

The new quarter is designed to be traffic-calmed with regard to motorized private transport. Central parking facilities with approx. 2,520 parking spaces will be built in the south.

The bus platforms will be integrated into the new mobility hub as Regnitzstadt develops. They will probably be located on the first floor of the eastern parking garage (see framework plan).

The area is currently used as a large parking lot. This function of the area for the city as a whole will also be retained in the future. For this purpose, parking garages are to be built in which there will be more parking spaces than today in the large parking lot.

With the decision on stationary traffic (February 2025), approx. 2,000 bicycle parking spaces within the mobility hub and approx. 2,520 parking spaces for private cars were decided as the basis for further planning. In the reference year 2010, there were approx. 2,000 parking spaces at the large parking lot. It is expected that there will be approx. 1,390 parking spaces by the end of 2025, once the parking area replaces the former multi-storey parking lot.

There will be a transfer point to the free City Line. This will provide access to all destinations in the city center.

Further information on the current parking facilities can be found under Parking in Erlangen.

Regnitzstadt is located between heavily frequented traffic routes (railroad line and A73 highway). As part of the framework planning, an acoustic report was prepared. This shows which acoustic conditions are to be expected and which measures are required to ensure healthy living and working conditions. The report will form the basis for further planning.

Yes, even with the reorganization of the traffic areas, the functions of cab ranks and "kiss-and-ride" (i.e. picking up or dropping off passengers by private vehicles) are still possible.

The public can obtain information about the project on an ongoing basis via the City of Erlangen's website. In addition, public events are offered at important planning milestones. The following formats have taken place so far:

June 2024: City walk "From the large parking lot to the Regnitzstadt"

The finalized framework planning was presented using concept graphics as part of a walk in the large parking lot.

November 2023: Information event on the master plan

• A public event was held on the emerging master plan with plenty of room for questions and suggestions.

May 2023: Stop at "Cycling through the city" with Lord Mayor Dr. Janik

• The "Cycling through the city" event offered interested parties the opportunity to find out about current projects in the city.

July 2019: Information event on the competition

• The event began with a walk through the large parking lot with the planning and construction officer. Afterwards, citizens were able to jointly develop ideas for the future of the area. The results of the participation were documented and incorporated into the competition brief.