Copenhagen office ADEPT has been selected to develop a masterplan for the renewal of Munich neighborhood, Neuperlach, with a total of impressive 1100-ha mixed housing and public functions.

Germany is raising the bar for sustainable urban renewal - and is looking to Denmark for inspiration. One of the offices making a substantial impact on the future of German cities is Copenhagen based ADEPT, which has recently underlined its position by winning the contract for the renewal of Munich neighborhood, Neuperlach. 

Earlier on known for its social and infrastructural challenges and typical of the post-World War 2 urban developments of the 60’s and 70’, Neuperlach is the largest of its kind in Germany. Originally planned with more than 80.000 housing units as well as cultural and social functions, the masterplan was never fully completed, adding to the impression of neglect in the area.

The transformation of the enormous district at the edge of Munich City is one of the largest ongoing developments in Germany. The development includes planning at all scales: from the overall strategic masterplan to a plan for the detailed renovation of a large part of the residential complexes, as well as designing a firmly anchored process for involvement of the citizens in the area. A target area of 500 ha kick-starts the process with a specific preliminary investigation.

"What is quite unique about this specific project is not only the vast scale of the action area. It is the whole approach to the project that means that the process ahead of us is so comprehensive, aiming to anchor the development in all aspects, from the large regional scale, to the facilitation of citizen involvement and recommendation to future physical development of the area," said ADEPT partner Martin Krogh.

"As Danish planners, we can definitely contribute with a specific Nordic idealism, characterized by a more- hands-on approach than might be usual in Germany, but we can also gain valuable experience from the visionary direction set by the authorities. I believe that it is a very fruitful cross-fertilization of professional competence and national ambition," Krogh added.

Neuperlach’s building volume and the open structure of the modernistic urban layout are both characteristic to the area, endowing great development potential, not least because of its open spaces that are a scarce commodity in Munich. 

At the same time, the urban layout makes re-thinking of cultural and social infrastructure, future mobility, green structure as urban active, resources and climate adaption ideal.

ADEPT is based in Copenhagen and the studio is creatively lead by the partners Anders Lonka, Martin Krogh, Martin Laursen and associate partner Simon Poulsen. 

ADEPT was also selected to design Healing City with sustainable approach in Yanzihu, Shenzhen. ADEPT and Karres En Brands are working on one of Europe’s most resilient urban developments in Germany.

Project facts

Location: Munich, Germany

Size: 1154 ha / 500 ha VU

Client: Landeshauptstadt München, Referat für Stadtplanung und Bauordnung

Year: 2019 - 2021

Renewal of Neuperlach is supported by the German State, the free state of Bavaria and the City of Munich

All photographs © Klaus Leidorf

Graphics © ADEPT

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