Stadtquartier Köln Arcaden
Cologne
We are serious about sustainability – and look forward to setting new ESG benchmarks with the Köln Arcaden redevelopment in Cologne’s Kalk district. Intelligent planning and resource-efficient concepts pave the way for a new, mixed-use, green urban neighbourhood featuring multi-generational living spaces and offices – sustainable, efficient and future-ready, all without any additional land sealing.
Client
Union Investment
Period
2023 – 2031
Services
ESG management, EU taxonomy compliance, climate risk analysis
Year of construction
2030
Area
44,000 m²
Type of use
Residential, Care, Office/Administration, Retail, Hospitality
Features
Hybrid timber structures, use of low-carbon and recycled materials, extensive greening, waste avoidance concept, spaces for social interaction, integrational initiatives and networking events, flexible layouts, fossil fuel avoidance, climate-neutral operation
ESG expertise for sustainable urban development
Sustainability experts from BRAND BERGER are playing a key role in the environmentally friendly creation of this new urban neighbourhood on the Köln Arcaden site. Our 160-criteria ESG Property Assessment helped define a catalogue of future-ready targets for this complex multi-project, and in 2025 we participated in public discussions of project-specific ESG issues with a range of stakeholders. The project is in line with the KölnKlimaAktiv climate protection initiative.
Our sustainable strategies and insightful consulting ensure that Union Investment’s project is not only set up for a bright ecological and commercial future but also has a positive impact on urban development.
Sustainable transformation
Plans for the area around the Köln Arcaden in the district of Kalk exploit the region’s considerable potential for development. Changes in use and consideration of current urban development trends – for example densification, usage mix, e-mobility and climate protection – will make the neighbourhood a future-ready part of the urban landscape. The site’s excellent access to transport networks and its location within a traditional district with a strong identity create an ideal foundation for successful urban transformation.
The historic water tower – once part of the CFK factory – has been integrated into the new concept, which features apartments and offices as well as age-friendly and sheltered housing. The planning process included public participation as a means of ensuring the creation of a neighbourhood that meets all its residents’ needs.
- A guaranteed future-ready neighbourhood
- Dovetailing of economic and ecological added value
- Establishment of broad acceptance among local citizens
- Integration of multiple sustainability-enhancing measures
Looking for a dependable partner for your project? Let’s talk.
We look forward to hearing from you!