Stadtumbau West – currently 2/2003

In “Stadtumbau West – aktuell”, the research agency reports three to four times a year on current developments in the ExWoSt research field Urban Redevelopment West.

NEWS FROM RESEARCH

Promotion of five further pilot projects

The ExWoSt research field “Urban Redevelopment West” was launched in 2002 with financial support from the federal government amounting to 15 million euros. In the federal budget of 2003, a commitment framework of 15 million euros was again set, which complemented by state and municipal funds, a recording of five “new” pilot cities made possible, the 2007 urban redevelopment concepts and implement impetus projects. We welcome in the field of research Essen (NRW), Gelsenkirchen (NRW), Hamburg-Wilhelmsburg (HH), Saarbrücken-Burbach (SL) and the Schwalm-Eder-Kreis (HE) as “new” Pilotkommunen! With this selection, the scope of the tasks of urban redevelopment in the old Länder should be better and more varied in the research project. A detailed presentation of the “new” cities is expected in the spring of 2004 in an updated brochure and on the Internet at www.stadtumbauwest.de.

Project Workshop Selb

The second project workshop in the context of the ExWoSt research field took place on 13 and 14 November 2003 in Selb with participation of the participants in the pilot cities of administration, politics, housing and planning. A summary and results from the working groups “Investor Relations”, “Housing Market Analysis” and “Relocation Management” can be found here.

Publications

For the first expert public forum in May 2003, a brochure “Stadtumbau West – Program & Pilot Cities” was published, which presents the eleven participating project cities in the ExWoSt research field “Stadtumbau West”. In the meantime, this brochure can also be downloaded here in PDF format. Only a few remaining copies of the free brochure can be ordered by email at info@forum-oldenburg.de.

In the spring of 2004, an update of the booklet will be prepared, in which the five “new” cities will also be presented in the research field.

One year Stadtumbau West. The work of the first eleven pilot cities started at the end of 2002 and will continue until the end of 2006. Here is a short progress report from the ExWoSt research field “Stadtumbau West” from December 2003.

The most recent edition of the series “Information on Spatial Development” published in issue 10 / 11.2003 of the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning entitled “Urban redevelopment – A permanent task with new challenges”. The booklet presents thoughts and arguments, evidence and examples of urban redevelopment in East and West. The publications of the BBR can directly via the self-publisher of the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning (self-publisher of the BBR, PO Box 21 01 50, 53131 Bonn, Phone +49 (0) 1888.401-2209, Telefax +49 (0) 1888.401-2292, Email selbstverlag @ bbr.bund.de) and related to the book trade.

Events 2004

On April 22nd and 23rd, 2004, the third project workshop is expected to take place in the research field “Stadtumbau West” in Wilhelmshaven. Participation in the bi-annual project workshops is limited to the assets in the pilot cities of administration, politics and the housing industry as well as the state and federal representatives. We will provide you with a summary about “Stadtumbau West – aktuell”.

The second specialist public forum for Urban Redevelopment West is expected to take place in mid-September 2004. Specialized public forums are a platform for the professional presentation of the project and the mediation of the federal political position. We will inform you in good time about the exact date, venue, program and registration options. (You can find information about the specialist public forum in Bremen in May 2003 here.)

NEWS FROM THE PILOT CITIES

With the commitment framework in the federal budget 2003 for the ExWoSt research field Urban Redevelopment West, the cities of Albstadt, Bremerhaven and Salzgitter could also be provided with state funding to implement investment projects. The pilot city of Albstadt uses this funding to reactivate an industrial wasteland within the textile industry close to the city center, as well as to revaluate or demolish partial holdings in a housing estate from the 1950s and to make replacement buildings. Bremerhaven, in turn, concentrates its investment funds on conversions in a Wilhelminian district as well as in two residential quarters from the 1950s and 1970s. The pilot town of Salzgitter is using the funds to demolish a residential building and its ancillary facilities in a district from the 1970s, and plans to build alternative housing through private homes and an accompanying infrastructure offering.

The pilot city of Bremerhaven has very positive experiences

Replacing Your Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood floors are often desirable in any home. They are elegant, long-lasting, and usually of high quality. However, sometimes hardwood floors come with problems of their own. They can become squeaky, worn or scratched, or warped through damage. Here are some things to consider when you are in need of updating your hardwood flooring. 

Structure

Some fixes are going to require more than just a simple home project. Some problems are simple to repair, such as cracks or stains. Other problems are more extreme and may not be easy to fix. Make sure you can identify the problem before attempting to fix it yourself. Structural damage such as foundational damage, extreme movement between boards, or buckling will require complete reconstruction and the assistance of a professional. 

Material

Choosing the right material to update your hardwood flooring is essential. There are many different types of wood that support hardwood flooring, such as maple, cherry, and monarch plank european oak. There are exotic options such as teak, rosewood, or mesquite. You can use solid hardwood flooring that can be sanded and refinished as many times as your home style changes. Engineered hardwood is usually more stable and less susceptible to changes in humidity, and is acceptable for basements. However, engineered hardwood can often only be refinished once or twice. 

Finishing

Depending on the scope of your re-flooring project, you will need to decide between a finished or unfinished hardwood. Unfinished flooring allows you to customize your finish to match the style of your home but takes longer to install and finish. Pre-finished flooring is already sanded and sealed and allows for quicker installation to immediately walk on. 

Whatever the reason for updating your hardwood flooring, be sure to consider the existing structure, the material you would like, and whether or not the wood is finished before you begin your project.