Model project in the Sackring area Joint housing initiative by the Braunschweig Building Cooperative (BBG), the Student Services Organisation of Eastern Lower Saxony and Technische Universität Braunschweig
- Temporary accommodation for guests of TU Braunschweig
- Responsible use of existing properties while the Sackring area is being developed for the future
An uncomplicated search for accommodation is an important factor in attracting visiting scientists to the Braunschweig research region. To this end, the Braunschweiger Baugenossenschaft (BBG), the Students’ Services Organisation of Eastern Lower Saxony and Technische Universität Braunschweig have launched a joint initiative to provide additional temporary housing at short notice for guests of TU Braunschweig.
As part of this pilot project, seven apartments owned by the building cooperative are being rented to people living in Braunschweig temporarily for research or teaching purposes. This makes good use of existing housing while the neighbourhood is being prepared for future construction developments.
Apartments in the Sackring area – a neighbourhood in transition
The apartments are located in the Sackring district, a central neighbourhood of the BBG. The district is undergoing comprehensive urban redevelopment aimed at modernising existing structures and preparing the area for the future with contemporary buildings, additional green spaces, and climate adaptation measures.
The guest apartments have been refurbished and furnished by the Student Services Association of Eastern Lower Saxony. The Welcome Support team in the Research Services Department at TU Braunschweig is responsible for arranging occupancy of the flats by international guests. If an apartment is not needed for guests temporarily, it can be used as a shared flat for students instead.
The impetus for this special cooperation came from Prof. Dr. Angela Ittel, President of the TU Braunschweig.
Statements from the partners
Karin Stemmer, member of the BBG Executive Board:
“With this joint model project, we are demonstrating how partnership-based action can quickly have an impact. We are providing suitable accommodation for people who are temporarily living in Braunschweig for research or teaching purposes, while at the same time making responsible use of our properties as future plans take shape.”
Sönke Nimz, Managing Director of the Student Services Organisation of Eastern Lower Saxony:
“We are happy to support the Braunschweig research region in offering its guest scientists short-term accommodation on site. Through this cooperation, we are utilising vacant BBG housing and making it easier for guests of TU in particular to settle into the city – a win-win situation for everyone involved.”
Prof. Dr. Angela Ittel, President of Technische Universität Braunschweig: “The basis for successful research is a home you can rely on. We have many excellent guest researchers from all over the world who come to our university for shorter stays. Often, they cannot find accommodation that can be rented at short notice. As a university, we cannot change the housing situation in our city. But we can make other adjustments where possible. That is why we have joined forces with regional partners. We are particularly pleased that, thanks to BBG, we can temporarily use apartments. This is a welcoming culture in action: by making it easier for guest researchers to stay with us, we are creating real incentives for them to come to us.”
Outlook
The project has been designed as a temporary pilot project to accompany the upcoming developments in the Sackring area. Once the planning and construction issues have been resolved, the partners will review their experiences and draw conclusions for future housing options.