Foot Fancy in Freiburg

Freiburg is a small university city but still has a lot of variety, not only in its architecture but in its streetscapes as well. As we walked around we noticed many different types of cobbled stones and other paving materials. The city additionally includes small details within the streetscape such as many small open canals for storm water runoff and river water, and has small bronze placards in the pavement to honor the Jews who were removed during WWII.

The most common type of pavement within the historic center is cobbled stones. These are not only consistent with the historic character but are also long lasting, attractive and permeable to rain water. However these can be uncomfortable to walk on and the variation in size and spacing makes it very easy to trip, roll an ankle, or catch your bike or stroller tire.

Tarring the gaps in between the cobbled stones is also relatively common, especially on the busier streets. Tarring has the added benefit of making the surface more even and easier to walk or bike on, but unfortunately detracts from the historic character. Sealing the gaps in between the cobbled stones also increases the amount of storm water runoff because it lessens the permeability of the street and thus directs more water into the canals.

An attractive variation on cobbled stones is the use of river rocks that are cut in half and placed vertically in sand. This provides greater visual stimulus in changing sizes, colors, and spacing. These river rocks provide excellent drainage because of the gaps and the sand. They are also more comfortable to walk on than traditional cobbled stones because they lessen the impact on feet and knees despite potentially being more unevenly spaced. In some areas where they use smaller river rocks, the rocks are spaced fairly uniformly and are used to create patterns and mosaics. The mosaics ae in front of historic buildings and depict the former use of the buildings. The use of these local materials in general is in character with the genus loci, the spirit of the place, because the river is an important motif within the city. A negative aspect of using river rocks is the labor intensity of laying them so precisely, which ultimately can make them an expensive sidewalk treatment.

Like any city, Freiburg also has traditional asphalt and concrete streets. The majority of these are outside of the historic center and do not enhance the aesthetics. Asphalt and concrete do provide better traction, are smoother to walk on and are more durable for heavier traffic such as trucks. One major con to using asphalt and concrete is the lack of permeability, which creates a lot of storm water runoff.

Pavers are a good compromise to many of the pros and cons previously discussed; they can easily combine durability with visual interest and permeability. They are generally seen in areas with less heavy automotive traffic, such as driveways (like the one leading to our hostel) and sidewalks along major roads. Pavers can be spaced in a particular pattern and can even allow for vegetation to grow in between the gaps which helps enhance drainage. Pavers are also easier to place than cobbled stones or river rocks due to their uniform dimensions. Although pavers are not always in tune with the historic character of the city, they do provide visual interest and charm in the vegetation and their patterning.

The more we explore Freiburg the more we appreciate the efforts the city has undergone to make walking a pleasurable experience. The city has done a lot to preserve historic character and provide visual stimulus, even to the extent of providing many different pavement types. Walking in Freiburg can be just as interesting looking at your feet as looking at the buildings.

–Chrissy Warner & Julia Mai Plotts

Transforming Old Parts of the City into Green Space

It is sad that in many of today's urban cities, it is difficult to find green space. Especially in American society, the world seems to revolve around money and any undeveloped land is a lost opportunity. We build and build, rarely stopping to reflect on the concrete jungle we have planted. One thing that I have noticed in Europe that is lacking in many major American cities is the myriad of green spaces dotted around the landscape. Some think that green space is a waste of space, but that is far from the truth. It is important to have open spaces available for recreation and relaxation. Studies have shown that parks near homes and offices help improve one's quality of life; and they often boost the property value of surrounding areas as well. In Amsterdam, we visited a relatively new green space called Westerpark.

 

The park is actually built on the location of an old gas factory that first opened in 1883. When it became obsolete in the 1960s, it was abandoned and ignored for the most part. In 1989,the old brick buildings were granted the status of industrial monuments and work was done to help preserve it. Eventually, the city cleaned up the area of any lingering hazardous material and planned a park around the area - today it is known as Westerpark.


The park is a popular spot among locals and you can often find people lounging around in the vast grass field, or sipping coffee at a nearby cafe. Trees were planted and public transit was extended to give people better access to the area. Not only does the park have a strong cultural and historical identity, it now supports a wide variety of wildlife and has become a favorite spot for picnics and sports among the locals. So next time you see a piece of old industrial land, don't be so quick to dismiss it as unusable land or wish for another boring shopping mall. A little bit of nature in the neighborhood can go a long way!


By: Ryan Shum

Cohousing and Sustainability: Munksøgaard

During our stay in Denmark, we had the opportunity to visit the Munksøgaard cohousing development located in Trekroner. Munksøgaard is a highly successful community dedicated to minimizing its ecological footprint and promoting a healthy, sustainable lifestyle for all of its residents. This ecological housing project began in the early 1990s and was completed in 2000. It now provides over 100 units for 240 residents. The community is comprised of four main housing groups that cater to different types of residents. These groups are responsible for performing specific tasks (cooking, gardening, ground maintenance, etc.) that benefit the community as a whole. In addition, Munksøgaard has implemented several environmental initiatives in efforts to reduce energy use, encourage ecological building practices, support the local food movement, and set a positive example for other communities. Some of these unique sustainable features are discussed below:

Waste Management:

Due to its small population and relatively rural location, the Munksøgaard community is able to process most of it’s organic, biological, and water waste onsite: food scraps and other organic wastes are composted, urine is collected by separation toilets and used as an organic fertilizer, and waste water is treated by a biological sand filter. This small eco-village also has its own recycling center to manage excess waste output. These local waste management practices help preserve the environment by reducing transportation trips and alleviating pressure on existing waste treatment facilities.

Building Materials:

Green roofs: Munksøgaard offers a great example of how green roofs can effectively treat and mitigate the effects of stormwater runoff while providing a pleasing aesthetic for the community. Essentially, green roofs work to temporarily retain excess storm water. This type of water retention helps prevent flooding and avoid water contamination that may occur from an overwhelmed wastewater collection system. The vegetation on the roofs also help insulate buildings, which can reduce the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling. Munksøgaard has incorporated green roofs on several residential dwellings, storage units, and animal shelters. 

Shell roofs: Another type of green roof is depicted below. Munksøgaard is one of the first communities to experiment with using mussel-shells as a type of stormwater management system. The shell roof functions similarly to a traditional green roof by absorbing and temporarily retaining excess water runoff. In addition, rather than importing traditional roofing materials from distant production sites, all of the mussel shells are collected from a local fishery. 

Straw Insulation: This picture reveals the straw insulation that supports Munksøgaard's new community center. Instead of using traditional energy-intensive materials, Munksøgaard is committed to integrating organic, low-tech building materials into its new development projects. This innovative and effective design reflects a growing demand for eco-friendly construction materials around the globe.

Community Gardens:

Each residential dwelling in Munksøgaard has the opportunity to cultivate its own fruits and vegetables onsite. The elderly residents are responsible for maintaining a large garden located in the center of community. They work together to irrigate and compost the land in addition to growing and gathering produce. This cooperative gardening program provides local and organic food to residents while supporting an active, healthy lifestyle.

Car Share:

Though residents are allowed to have their own car, the Munksøgaard community has implemented a car sharing program that aims to promote alternative energy and reduce fossil fuel dependency. The car fleet is comprised of hybrid vehicles with a new addition of a completely electric car. In order to use one of the cars, residents simply reserve a car online for the time and date that they need. Car-sharing has been proven to reduce vehicle trips and encourage other forms of transportation . For example, Munksøgaard residents rely on bicycles as their primary mode of transportation within the community and also support public transportation by using the nearby railway station when traveling to other cities.
   

Conclusion: Overall, our visit to Munksøgaard was very inspiring. This cohousing development is a great example of how simple, sustainable practices can be incorporated into daily life in a way that adds value to a community. Although cooperative housing communities have become increasingly popular in many parts of Europe, the trend has not yet gained momentum in the United States. Despite the fact that many Americans may find the idea of cooperative housing unappealing, it is important to recognize the potential environmental savings of maintaining a more ecological lifestyle. Individual communities and cities can benefit greatly from implementing simple, energy-saving measures such as green roofs or car-sharing. Collectively, these small initiatives can go a long way toward creating happy, healthy, and sustainable communities around the world.

By: Kaitlyn Silveira

Characteristic Pavement Patterns in Freiburg, Germany

By Kelly Matheson

As you walk around Freiburg, Germany, it is easy to notice the many paving designs throughout town. They are mostly circular in shape and usually relate to the building they are in front of. This unique urban design element that adds to Freiburg's uniqueness and helps you orient yourself in the town. Personally, I like them because it's fun to guess what the image means if it isn't obvious. Also, you can learn a little bit more about the building, which you might not know any other way.

Here is a store, and I'm not sure what they sell exactly. But you can see Storchen in the name, and here is what you see on the ground:

Another easy to understand paving design is in front of the watch store:

Another simple one is in front of a church:

These are minor additions to a city, but they add lots of character and are fun to look at.

Stige Island Landfill

Our biking adventure in Odense led us to the Stige Island Landfill. During the landfill closure the landfill was converted into recreational park that features picnic areas, playgrounds, mountain biking trails and track. The landfill created the perfect opportunity for a large park for the people of Odense. The wants and needs of the community were taken into consideration when the park was designed. When visiting the park the different stages of landfill conversion can be seen.

The piles of trash are compacted and covered with vegetation. As the trash decomposes it gives off greenhouse gases such as methane and nutrient loads the soil. The methane that is given off from the trash is recaptured before it can disperse into the atmosphere. Then it is sold to the industry to create electricity and heat for households in Odense. An intricate drainage collection system collects surface water before it can enter and pollute the river.

The vegetated mounds create a playful environment and vista points.

View at the top of the park which featured a play area.

(Bottom Photo) Some of the SCONES students playing tether ball.

A remote control lawn mower is used to keep the vegetation manicured.
(video to come later)

One of the slides created on a mound.

By Kathyryn Waje & Liana Ramos

What students had to say...
"From 'trash' to 'class'!" -Kathy Waje
"My favorite part was watching the lawn mower" -Kelly Matheson
"I thought it was awesome because they created a park out of garbage" - Melissa Traverso

My Solo Transit Journey from Freiburg to Stuttgart, Germany

Log of my travel, observations, and comparisons to group travel

The first step I took was to plan out my trip! I used the Eurail website to research train times and transfers I would need to make. It specifically showed which platforms each train would leave from so I didn’t even have  to check the list at the station.

Freiburg to Stuttgart

8:35- Leave hostel and walk to the train station

            -Of my two options (walk or tram) I chose walking because I wanted the exercise, it wasn’t too far, and because I wasn’t familiar with the tram schedule.

8:54 – Board train

8:57- Train leaves right as scheduled

9:58- Arrive in Karlsruhe to switch trains

            -I found the next platform easily because I had checked the platform number ahead of time on the Eurail website

10:05- Depart Karlsruhe

10:58- Arrive in Stuttgart!

On my walk to the train station:

Walk observations:

-At the early hour, the streets were completely empty.

-I felt uncomfortable while passing a place with numerous homeless people.

-I was much more aware of my surroundings since I was not in a large group, and paid close attention to be sure I was going the right way.

On my train ride to Karlsruhe and then Stuttgart:

Successful arrival and reunion with an old friend

Train observations:

-Signs were incredibly easy to follow.

-Being alone meant staying awake so I wouldn’t miss my stop.

-Announcements were usually only done in German, so I had to pay close attention to intermediate stops.

-I didn’t make seat reservations, so I had to choose seats carefully.

-Moving from train to train was very easy and efficient without luggage and a large group of people.

Stuttgart to Freiburg

4:00- Train departs Stuttgart

            -Since I didn’t know the times ahead of time, I had to consult the board of departure times.

4:53- Train arrives in Karlsruhe

            -Checked the departures board to see what platform to go to for my connection.

5:03- Train departs Karlsruhe (arrives and leaves 3 minutes late)

            -This train was crowded, so I had to sit on the floor for the first half hour since I didn’t have a reservation

5:59- Train arrives in Freiburg

6:45- Return to hostel after making several stops on the way

On my walk back to the hostel:

-The streets were much busier, so I felt a lot safer.

Conclusions:

-Train travel is extremely reliable and easy to understand

-Prior research isn’t really necessary, but does make it a little easier

-Seat reservations might be a good idea, especially for long trips

-Walking through town is more comfortable with people around

-Traveling alone is very different than with a large group:

            -Ease in moving quickly

            -Hightented awareness of surroundings and directions

Meredith Plant

Creative Ground Work of Stockholm, Sweden

Creative Ground Work of Stockholm, Sweden