Aachen's Urban Development: Campus West and Innenbereichssatzungen in Focus

Aachen's Urban Development: Campus West and Innenbereichssatzungen in Focus

February 2026 was marked by significant decisions in urban planning in Aachen. Two central topics were at the forefront: the revision of the zoning plan "Campus West" and the drafting of an Innenbereichssatzung in the district of Laurensberg. Both projects reflect the complex challenges modern cities face in making legal corrections, considering ecological and social aspects, and pursuing housing policy goals.

Zoning Plan "Campus West": Corrections and Future Security

The zoning plan No. 923 "Campus West" had already been legally binding since 2021, but in December 2024, it was declared invalid by the Higher Administrative Court. The reasons were a formal and a material error: the inclusion of parking garages in the use catalog without a new public consultation and the inadmissible setting of noise quotas on multiple land parcels. These errors necessitated a supplementary procedure under § 214 (4) BauGB.

In the context of the supplementary procedure, several adjustments were made:

• The height restrictions in several special areas (SO2, SO3, SO4, SO5) were revised to ensure the planned building heights.
• The use catalog of the special area SO5 was extended to include "parking garage" as a permitted use.
• The definitions in the regulations were supplemented, particularly regarding windows in living areas.
• The noise quotas were redefined per land parcel, with 10 sub-parcels in Campus West assigned emission quotas for day and night.
• The road planning was revised, resulting in lower road heights.

These measures aim to make the zoning plan legally compliant while ensuring the planned developments in this part of the city. The revised zoning plan was published online and publicly displayed to ensure transparency and public participation.

Innenbereichssatzung Orsbach Finkenhag: Housing Promotion in the District of Laurensberg

Another central project was the Innenbereichssatzung "Orsbach Finkenhag" in the district of Laurensberg. With this regulation, an area of 4,078 m² was incorporated into the inner area and converted from agricultural use to residential development.

The Innenbereichssatzung is a tool under § 34 BauGB that allows for the transfer of areas from the outer area to the inner area, provided certain conditions are met. In this case, the focus was on the creation of urgently needed housing. The development is accompanied by an urban development agreement that includes land and nature conservation compensation measures.

The administration recommended the adoption of the regulation and emphasized its positive impact on the housing demand in Aachen. In addition, social and ecological aspects were considered: the site is located in close proximity to the "Aachen, Orsbach Schule" bus stop and is easily accessible by bicycle or on foot. Furthermore, the site is part of a well-connected cycling network, which improves mobility within the district.

Housing Promotion 2025: Social Integration and Sustainability

In 2025, Aachen recorded a positive result in public housing promotion. A total of 318 housing units, including 69 units in a cooperative housing project, were supported, marking important steps toward social integration and sustainable housing design.

A particular focus was on the creation of multi-room apartments, which are in high demand among residents. At the same time, the number of one-room apartments was reduced, while the number of two-room apartments was increased. This reflects the requirements of everyday-use housing that meets the needs of various target groups.

Outlook: Urban Planning in Transition

The decisions of February 2026 show how Aachen is tackling the challenges of modern urban planning. On the one hand, legal errors must be corrected and procedures repeated; on the other hand, it is about pursuing social goals such as housing promotion and integration.

In the coming years, it will continue to be important to strengthen urban climate protection measures, reduce traffic, and promote new forms of housing. The experiences gained from Campus West and the Innenbereichssatzung in Laurensberg can provide valuable impulses for future projects.