There are now 32 European quarters in the running for the DIFA-AWARD 2004 organised by Hamburg-based DIFA Deutsche Immobilien Fonds AG. A jury of experts from Germany, Austria, the UK, France and the Netherlands met in Munich last Wednesday to choose the eagerly awaited shortlist.
From a total of 101 entries, the jury selected 15 completed urban quarters from Germany: outstanding 'contributions to revitalising quarters' in Berlin (x 3), Celle, Cottbus, Essen, Dortmund, Fürth, Hamburg (x 2), Mainz, Potsdam, Rostock, Stuttgart and Tübingen will now feature in the final stage of the competition. In addition, quarters have been shortlisted from Jyväskylä, Tampere, Malmö, Aarhus, Copenhagen, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Antwerp, Brussels, The Hague, Groningen, Lyons, Paris, Warsaw, Bydgoszcz and Basle.
“This shortlist epitomises the exemplary vision and creative variety to be found in the planning and management of urban quarters across Europe,' says jury member Dr. Irene Wiese-von Ofen, President of the International Federation for Housing and Planning (IFHP) headquartered in The Hague. The towns and cities shortlisted now have until 31 May to submit more detailed descriptions of their projects. The three best quarters will be chosen as part of the DIFA Forum on 5 October 2004 at the EXPO REAL commercial property show in Munich. DIFA will also be presenting the best 15 shortlisted entrants in a special display on its stand.
Total prize money for the DIFA-AWARD 2004 amounts to 30,000 euros. Under the motto 'City of the future. Future of the city' the competition is held on a bi-annual basis and recognises developments which significantly enhance the quality of urban life.
DIFA-AWARD 2004 Shortlist
Belgium:
Antwerp: Renovation of the 'De Coninckplein' Area
Brussels: The Royal Military Academy of Belgium
Denmark:
Aarhus: City Area
Copenhagen: Christiansbro Area
Finland:
Jyväskylä: Jyväskylä Interchange and Vicinity
Tampere: Finlayson
France:
Lyons: Cité international de Lyon
Paris: Philidor-Maraichers
Germany:
Berlin-Neukölln: Remodelling of the Bank of the River Maybach on
Reuterplatz
Berlin: Sony-Center on Potsdamer Platz
Berlin: Helmholtzplatz/Berlin-Pankow
Celle: Celle Redevelopment Zone ? New Town
Cottbus: Cottbus Old Town ? The Central Public Spaces
Dortmund: Brückstraßenviertel [Brückstrassen Quarter]
Essen: Stadtwaldplatz
Fürth: West of Fürth Town Centre
Hamburg: Former 'Falkenreid' Vehicle Workshops
Hamburg: Alsterdorf Protestant Foundation
Mainz: Mainzer Neustadt
Potsdam: 'Central Potsdam' Redevelopment Zone; The Potsdam Urban
Canal in Yorckstrasse
Rostock: Jakobikirchplatz
Stuttgart: Zeppelin Carré
Tübingen: Quarter Squares Französischer Platz and Lorettoplatz
Netherlands:
The Hague: De Resident
Groningen: Schots 1+2, Ciboga Terrain
Poland:
Warsaw: Metropolitan
Bydgoszcz: Bydgoszsz Waterfront; BRE Bank Headquarter
Sweden:
Malmö: Bo01, Malmö Västra hamnen (Western harbour)
Switzerland:
Basle: Gundelingen
UK:
London: Butlers Wharf
Birmingham: Brindleyplace
Manchester: Millennium Quarter