With the withdrawal of US forces in 2014, the city of Bamberg faces the challenge of giving the vacated site, which was once used for military purposes, a new civilian use. A so-called ‘Turbo conversion’, which takes into account both the interests of the citizens of Bamberg and the need to meet severe housing demand (accommodation of asylum-seekers) and which offers rapid implementation opportunities, was originally planned. The conversion site measures approx. 450 hectares and accounts for approximately 8 percent of the urban area.

The conversion project offers the opportunity to give Bamberg East a new image. The City of Bamberg’s active role is required here to counter the emotionally charged debate on how to develop the area in the future with an innovative vision. There are two key questions for the City of Bamberg in regards to the conversion of the area, from which the ULI panel’s expertise was drawn upon for answers:

1. Purchase of land: Is it worth it to purchase the entire barrack site, or it is
better to purchase and develop it in parts? What is the approach taken by the City of Bamberg towards purchase negotiations?

2. Economic and social development: How can the conversion contribute to the economic and social development of both the new district and the entire city?

Technical Assistance Panels (TAPs) are an important part of the ULI Advisory Services programme; they are flexible and independently organised by the local ULI councils. Each panel is made up of highly qualified professionals who are selected based on their knowledge and experience in the relevant field and tested for their objectivity. The interdisciplinary committees enable development issues to be viewed on a holistic level and for recommendations for action to be devised which illustrate the challenges and potentials of the underlying situation without serving vested interests. Every panel is chaired by respected ULI members who have extensive experience with ULI panels.

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