Background 

Landfills, formerly often referred to as rubbish dumps, were, for a long time, the standard method of waste disposal in Germany. In the 1970s, there were approximately 65,000 uncontrolled or semi-controlled dumps nationwide. Since then, waste management has evolved significantly towards a circular economy approach, focusing on recycling and resource recovery. A key driver of this transition was the 2005 ban on landfilling biodegradable and other organic waste unless it had undergone prior treatment. In 2024, this ban was extended to include recyclable and recoverable waste. As a result, the number of landfills in Germany declined from 65,000 to just 999 by 2021 (Statusbericht der deutschen Kreislaufwirtschaft, 2024). 

The widespread closure of landfills has led many sites to enter what is known as the aftercare phase. This phase ensures the long-term stability of the landfill and guarantees that it will not pose a risk to public health or the environment in the future. Many landfills are 

now reaching the end of their aftercare phase or will do so in the coming years, highlighting the need for well-considered redevelopment strategies that return these areas to the public as valuable spaces. 

The redevelopment of former landfill sites presents several planning challenges, spanning a period of at least 100 years. On the one hand, ensuring the landfill’s sealing and managing water flows (both rainwater and seepage water within the site) is a complex engineering task. On the other hand, creating an ecologically and socially valuable habitat for flora, fauna, and humans requires careful landscape design. 

Project Site 

Neustadt an der Weinstraße is located at the edge of the Palatinate Forest in the Rhine Valley, in the western part of the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region. The city is well known as a hub of German winemaking and for Hambach Castle – both key attractions for tourism. As part of the 2027 State Garden Show, a new landscape park is being developed in the northwest of Neustadt. This park will begin at the eastern edge of the historic town centre and extend westward to the Maifischgraben landfill. The park is bordered to the north by the Rehbach stream and to the south by the Speyerbach stream. 

The southern part of the Maifischgraben landfill is being integrated into the landscape park as a Panorama Hill, providing a recreational space for residents of the adjacent Branchweiler district. At the same time, a continuous green corridor will be created, stretching from the historic centre along the two streams into the Rhine Valley. 

The northern part of the former landfill is planned for future redevelopment as a glamping site, offering additional overnight accommodation options in Neustadt. This northern area, which covers around 50 hectares, is currently used as a recycling facility. 

Research Questions and Design Goals 

• How can an ecologically valuable habitat for flora and fauna be created on a former landfill while also integrating social needs into the design?
• What temporal aspects must be considered in the planning process, given a design and usage timeframe of 100 years?
• How do soil composition and water management influence the establishment of a biodiverse ecosystem, and how can they be strategically utilised to promote biodiversity?
• To what extent can human use be incorporated into the concept without compromising the site's ecological function? 

The aim of the Destination Wasteland! Studio is to develop an ecologically valuable habitat for flora and fauna on the former Maifischgraben landfill. At the same time, the site should provide leisure and recreational opportunities in the form of a glamping area. The design must account for the long-term transformation process of landfill redevelopment over a 100- year period and illustrate this evolution clearly. 

This studio will be offered in collaboration with Dr. Markus Bauer from the Chair of Restoration Ecology, headed by Prof. Kollmann. 

The excursion to Neustadt an der Weinstraße will last four days and take place between May 6 and May 9. The exact costs (approx. 166 euros per person, excluding transport) will be announced at a later date. Participants are responsible for arranging and covering the costs of their own travel to and from Neustadt.

Module

Master Landscape Ar. Project: 

15 ECTS

LV-Nr.: 0000002226

LV-Nr.: 0000002227 (Advanced)

Bachelor Landscape Ar.Project 4: 

9 ECTS / 6 SWS 

LV-Nr.: 0000000622

Bachelor Thesis: 

LV-Nr.: 0000002168(GTLA Forschungsdesigns) 

Location:

Freising, E42 

Kick Off:

28.04.2025, 13:00, E42

Excursion:

06.05. – 09.05.2025 

Neustadt an der Weinstraße

Language:

German/English

Tutoring:

Mondays, 9:30-12:30 [MA] - 13:30-18:00 [BA]

Teaching Team:

Prof. Ferdinand Ludwig,

Christoph Fleckenstein, M.A.

Lumi Kirk, M.A.

Contact:

christoph.fleckenstein(at)tum.de