ERFURT_ A significant milestone for the sustainable transformation of the Suhl-Nord site has now been reached: On Wednesday, September 28, 2022, the three project partners signed a far-reaching declaration of intent in Erfurt – it creates the basis for the joint development of the Suhl-Nord district by the city of Suhl, the Erfurt University of Applied Sciences, and the LEG. The agreement was signed by André Knapp, Mayor of Suhl, Prof. Yvonne Brandenburger, Vice President for Research/Transfer at the FH Erfurt, as well as Andreas Krey and Sabine Wosche, Managing Directors of the LEG Thüringen. The goal of the project participants is to jointly develop Suhl-Nord into a CO2-neutral district for commerce and research; the main industry focuses are to be the timber industry and photovoltaics. In the area of research, the establishment of a long-term university teaching program in cooperation with the FH, as well as the establishment of an innovation and start-up center, is planned. Overarching goals in terms of future-oriented solutions regarding sustainable mobility, housing, climate protection and adaptation, education, and social issues are to be pursued.
The total area of the Suhl-Nord site covers approximately 149 hectares. About one third of this is designated for various uses. For the realization of the overall project, LEG has declared its willingness to take over project management. In addition to components for education, social services, and special housing offerings, the development of areas for commerce as well as research and development plays a key role in the revitalization of the area. The signatories of the letter of intent view the recent announcements from the Ministry of Economic Affairs to establish a Thuringian wood cluster, with a particular focus on the Suhl-Nord location, as a tailwind for future joint project work. A further focus will be the expansion of the site into a research campus.
Background:
Suhl-Nord once provided a home for up to 15,000 people as a residential area, but after massive emigration, vacancies and extensive demolitions in recent years, efforts have been underway for some time to give the location a new direction. The city commissioned LEG to develop a target concept, which the Suhl city council unanimously adopted on May 11, 2022. The letter of intent represents a first step towards the joint implementation of the project; on this basis, initial measures for the preparation and realization of the overall project are to be specified and initiated.
In the initial phase until 2027 – during which the city of Suhl is equipped with optimal funding opportunities for commercial investors – the planning foundations for settlements are to be created and initial settlements realized for the transformation of Suhl-Nord – in accordance with the defined individual goals in the “URK Implementation-Oriented Realization Concept Suhl 2022 to 2040”.
In the subsequent second phase until 2040, the stabilization of development and the completion of the transformation are planned.
