Signing of the urban development agreement for the “Blau.Quartier – Central-West phase” development plan in Ulm

• Signing marks a key milestone on the way to the public exhibition
• Central-West phase covers around 4.7 hectares
• Around 900 residential units plus commercial space and day-care centre planned
• 40% subsidised housing
• Blau.Quartier is one of Germany’s largest urban regeneration projects
• Development plan procedure for “Central-West” to be completed by the end of 2026

With the signing of the urban development agreement for the Central-West phase on 5 August 2026, a key milestone has been reached for the Blau.Quartier project on Blaubeurer Strasse in Ulm (Baden-Württemberg), in addition to the political resolutions already adopted. The agreement creates the formal prerequisites for the public exhibition and the involvement of public authorities, thereby paving the way for the next phase of the development plan procedure.

The Central-West phase covers an area of around 4.7 hectares. A mixed-use scheme is planned with a total of around 900 residential units, 40 percent of which will be subsidised. Complementary uses will include service and commercial space, food and beverage outlets, a boarding house/hotel and a four-group day-care centre.

Dr Simon Kempf, Managing Director of Periskop Development GmbH:

“With the Central-West phase of the Blau.Quartier we are bringing 4.7 hectares of development-ready potential to the market in one of Germany’s strongest economic regions. The decision to divide the site into eleven individual building plots, each available for separate acquisition and ranging from 1,300 to 4,400 m², is deliberate: it opens the quarter up to regional developers and project developers and provides the architectural diversity a vibrant neighbourhood needs.”

Tim von Winning, Deputy Mayor for Construction of the City of Ulm:

“I am delighted that, with the conclusion of the urban development agreement, we have taken another important step towards realising the Blau.Quartier. Together with all project partners, we have been able to create a solid basis for high quality in terms of urban design, architecture and open-space planning. I am very grateful for this intensive and constructive collaboration.”

The urban development agreement for the Central-West phase sets binding parameters for further planning and implementation. Key elements include stipulations on urban design and open-space quality, securing 40 percent subsidised housing and the necessary adjustments to public access and infrastructure in the vicinity of the project. The customary public notice in the official gazette is expected in early September 2026. The aim is to complete the development plan procedure for the Central-West phase in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to the decisions of the political committees.

Blau.Quartier is one of the largest inner-city regeneration projects in Germany. It is being developed on the site of the former Blautal Center shopping mall, which opened in 1997. Where a retail property approximately 480 metres in length once dominated the urban space, a permeable, mixed-use quarter with a total of around 1,000 homes is now emerging on an overall site of approximately 6.6 hectares.

For the Eastern phase, the City of Ulm had already passed the statutory resolution in spring 2025. The plans there include, among other things, around 7,500 m² of rental space for convenience retail, approximately 2,000 m² for additional retail, as well as a medical centre, office space, a gym and around 110 apartments with views of the Blau. The “East” phase was recognised in May 2026 with the polis Award in the “Urban Land Recycling” category.

Blau.Quartier Ulm is being developed as a joint venture between Periskop Development and HLG Real Estate on behalf of the landowners. Together with the City of Ulm, MAAS & PARTNER Architekten initiated and developed the overarching masterplan and helped shape the dialogue process and development plan procedure. The procedure to draw up the development plan was launched in 2023.

Blau.Quartier website: https://blauquartier-ulm.de/

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