Hanau – Campo Pond

For more than 50 years the former US military training area of Campo Pond in Hanau-Wolfgang was used by the Americans as a tank practice ground. Following their withdrawal in the 1990s, the area of approx. 70 hectares was left unused and allowed to grow wild. It was able to develop into a unique landscape comprising various micro-habitats such as dry grasslands, steppe and uncultivated forests including their corresponding species. The land has been protected under the EC's flora and fauna Habitats Directive since 1998.

Since September 2009, the land owned by the German Federal Institute for Property Management (BIMA) has been made available for a breeding programme for Przewalski's horses, which are threatened with extinction. Up to 40 horses are to find a home here so that their offspring can be reintroduced into the wild in their native countries of Mongolia and Kazakhstan.

The land also includes many former administration and storage buildings which are currently being checked over to see what they can be used for. NH ProjektStadt has been commissioned by the city of Hanau to carry out a feasibility study to relocate the Biodiversity and Environmental Centre to the site. This study will outline scenarios concerning the partial dismantling and reconstruction of old buildings and energetic retrofitting of a building as well as the landscaping of open space, prototypes and financing options.

In addition to carrying out the study, the commission also involves acquiring sponsorship and supporters as well as preparing a funding application for the investment pact municipal funding programme.

The great public interest in the breeding programme and the site is already being accommodated by means of guided tours. In the future, the Environmental Centre should create another point of interest for the city of Hanau.

Marion Schmitz-Stadtfeld
Tel. 069 6069-1142
Fax 069 6069-51142
marion.schmitz-stadtfeld@nh-projektstadt.de