Ortskernentwicklung Ehrenhausen

Historically, the town center was a place that people went to, in order to satisfy their basic needs. Important functions of daily life were located in the urban core and, like a heart in an organism, it kept the place alive.

Nowadays, this image has changed. The question of how to deal with the increasingly and noticeably deserted town centers in peripheral communities is the subject of social debate. The reasons for this are varied and complex. Demographic change plays just as much of a role as decades of monofunctional settlement expansion on the outskirts of villages, towns and cities or the increase in automobilization. This question also arises for the Styrian town of Ehrenhausen.

The master plan developed in this thesis for the revitalisation of the town centre is based on a comprehensive analysis of the region and the town. Geographical, economic, infrastructural and demographic aspects were analysed in detail. Furthermore, the masterplan is based on the local development concept of the municipality of Ehrenhausen and on interviews with local decision-makers. Based on this, objectives were defined. These objectives ultimately form the basis for the subsequent measures. Under the slogan "inner before outer development", the town centre will be densified, the public space redesigned and a new traffic concept developed. In addition, many smaller measures will be implemented. The sum of all measures will create a coherent overall picture and give Ehrenhausen a new, strong "heart".

In order to make a vision for a possible future, sustainable Ehrenhausen tangible, the design is presented by means of plans, graphics and explanations.