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Cities and Economic Conditions

Baden-Baden, Germany

A Spa Town

Introduction

Context

Baden-Baden, Baden-Wurttemberg, is located in South-West Germany in the northern Black Forest area. It consists of the largest municipal forest in German, covering 85 square kilometres, equivalent to 61 percent of the town (Baden-Baden Kur & Tourismus GmbH 2020, 1).

Natural hot mineral springs were first discovered by the Romans in the 1st century C.E. where they settled the town Aquae Aureliae, later renamed Baden-Baden (Germany word for bathe) (Wohnlich 2001, 164). Third century Roman Emperor Caracalla built the Roman baths, part of which survive today. The thermal spring’s properties to improve one’s physical health, gained popularity in the early 19th century. European nobility and society flocked to the town in the 1850’s and 60’s, strengthening Baden-Baden as a fashionable resort and the summer capital of Europe (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica 2012, para. 1).

Today the state of Baden-Wurttemberg contributes €511 billion (15% GDP) to Germany’s economy. Baden-Wurttemberg is highly industrialised with automotive, mechanical engineering and metal and electrical industries strengthening the regional economy (European Commission 2019, para. 3-4). Less defined information was available for Baden-Baden, but assumptions can be made that tourism, resulting from its world-wide reputation as a Spa Town, drives the economy.

Forma Urbis- Present Day.

The urban form of the wider city area has organically spread around the landscape.

Forma Urbis

Original settlement of Baden-Baden

Baden-Baden Timeline

History of the City

An historical analysis of Baden-Baden for the last 200 years sees a steady expansion of the urban form, dictated by topography.

1808

The urban form in 1808 shows a small compacted area on the east side of the Oos River.

Healing pilgrimages began to occur in 1801 with 1,555 guests utilising the natural spring spas. In 1825 this figure rose to 7,750 and by 1835 there were 15,500 visitors to Baden-Baden (Baden-Baden Kur & Tourismus GmbH 2020, 1).

1808

1862

1862

According to Lempa (2017, p. 363), dismantling of city walls in German towns occurred between 1770 and 1850, which would account for the rapid expansion of Baden-Baden shown in the 1862 analysis. At this time Baden-Baden was an extremely popular destination, know across Europe and with the addition of a nearby railway line in the 1840’s, this provided an economical travel option for visitors. Germany’s oldest casino was also constructed around this time, in 1854, contributing to the local economy through the high society patrons.

1898

1898

In 1890 the first ‘women only’ bath was built, further adding to the economy through diversity. There is a continued outward growth of the city limits, as shown in the 1898 figure.

1927

1927

The sprawling urban form depicted in the 1927 analysis, would have been directly influenced by the increasing popularity of automobiles and the accompanying roads. The enormous growth and development of the town within 30 years may have been directly related to up the 70,000 visitors each year, bolstering the economy.

2018

2018

When comparing the 1927 map with the 2018 analysis, the growth of the town has plateaued, resulting presumably from a restricted town and development plan. The surrounding landscape would also dictate the expansion growth of Baden-Baden.

Historical Analysis

Mumford (1937, p. 93) speaks of economic organisations as secondary groups that form the characteristics of cities. Baden-Baden is a Bath destination City, reliant on the economic trade produced by the spa industry. The characteristics of the thermal spring buildings and facilities characterise the urban form of the town, as a priority for the visitors experience. This has radiated throughout the town in the form of the commerical and public buildings. Baden-Baden's sense of place is cohesive with elements of surprise.

Historical Analysis

Morphological Analysis

Design of the City

Baden-Baden’s urban form follows a traditional paradigm, as shown in the Morphological Analysis. The town’s centre is compact and walkable. The public green spaces which are a critical element for a community, according to Chitrakar, Baker & Guaralda (2016, p. 38), have been integrated into the design and the roads mould organically throughout the landscape.

Limited information was avaliable for Baden-Baden's building types, so assumptions were made based on the analysis of the figureground map. The residential areas show the ability for largers lots and distance from the neighbours. The original compacted town centre highlighted as the commerical section, would also accomodate residents on the upper levels. The points of interest, including museums, galleries, churches and baths are scattered throughout the town, yet within walking distance.

Mobility Analysis

The settling principle of Baden-Baden has evolved organically through negotiation with the local landscape. As research by Amorim, Filho & Cruz (2016, p. 58) cities are complex yet self-organised. Human activities generate socio-spatial patterns and set limits to future reconfigurations of the urban form.

The mobility analysis highlights the natural flow of the street network and emphasises the importance placed on pedestrian access throughout the town. It is evident that the street network had to adjust to the existing structure of the city, where there seems to be no logic to the placement of the neighbourhood and local roads. They start and end wherever possible and one could assume the majority are one-way streets.

Locals navigating the town would have formed a mental image of the network, but visitors may have a difficult time wayfinding.

Mobility Analysis

Characteristics

Elements of the City

The characteristics of Baden-Baden are easily identified through the recurrent building typologies, pedestrian laneways and dominated squares. Contextually the narrow streets and laneways in the centre of town consistently maintain the same type of building on their edges. They are beautifully maintained and brightly coloured. This forms a strong identity for Baden-Baden.

Building Typology

Topic

The charmingly preserved buildings have a distinct Parisian feel replicating vertical organisation. Commercial businesses operate on the ground floor, with residential levels above.

Building Typology

Italian High Renaissance is also represented in the architecture of large public buildings and baths. The history of the city’s settlement by the Romans has not been forgotten. The character of the town contributes to the economy through tourism, which sees 50% of visitors staying 3-4 days. In the past, doctors prescribed a month long stay in the spa town (Smith & Hofer 1994, p. 48).

Zucker’s (1959) explanation of the dominated square correlates to Baden-Baden as the majority of squares direct the visitor to a large public element.

Topic

Friedrichsbad Spa (1877)

Modern Additions

Along the west side of the Oos River there is a cluster of museums and art galleries. Among these is the Museum Frieder Burda, designed by American architect Richard Meier, in 2004. It is a two-story glass and aluminium modern building housing contemporary art. The building is linked via a glass elevated walkway to the State Art Gallery, Staatliche Kunsthalle Baden-Baden, which is a neo classical building constructed in 1909. The buildings although 100 years apart, complement and enhance one another.

Adding modern architecture throughout the town provides various points of interest, for their tourism trade.

Topic

Museum Frieder Burda

Building Form Analysis

Nolli Map

Limited information was avaliable for Baden-Baden's internal building layouts. Therefore a targetted analysis was conducted on three historic public landmarks. These buildings range from 1766-1862.

The Kurhaus

Kurhaus

The Kurhaus comprises of multiple buildings with varying functions. The 1766 original Promenade House was built for accommodation for the margrave and for spa guests.

The floorplan illustrated is Conversation House built in 1821. There is a central axis, with three cross axes within the rectangular shaped floor plan.

Following World War 2, economically the Kurhaus returned to full strength and continues to be expanded and renovated to this day (Baden-Baden Kur & Tourismus GmbH 2020, para. 11). The facilities offer accommodation, a colomnade of exclusive retail shops, a casino, function rooms and multiple restaurants, all of which generate significant income.

The Kurhaus continues to be the heart of the city and a major contributor to the local economy.

Friedrichsbad

Friedrichsbad

The Italian High Renaissance style Friedrichsbad was opened in 1877 and at the time was the most modern bath in Europe. It was commissioned as a solution for economic diversity to attract visitors to the town, due to the casino’s closure during the German Reich’s gambling ban (Stadtwiki Baden-Baden 2013, para. 3). The floorplan illustrates a symmetrical design with a central axis. There are multiple chambers throughout the building, which accommodate the 17 different spa stations. The heart of the Friedrichsbad is a rounded dome above the Roman/Irish bath, covered with artistic frescos. A main tourist attraction for Baden-Baden the baths charge a single admission price from €39-€61.

Theatre

Theatre

Baden-Baden’s French Neo-Baroque style Theatre completed construction in 1862. The exterior consists of white and red sandstone, while the French Rococo interior is reminiscent of the Opéra-Garnier in Paris. The axial symmetrical rectangular floor plan shows an internal semi-circular main seating area directed towards the stage. Multiple exits are present along the sides and front of the building, with backstage spaces occupying the rear.

The Theatre hosts musicals, plays and theatre productions. A yearly event for the Easter Festival combines Opera with the Philharmonic Berlin Orchestra (Theatre Baden-Baden 2019, para. 8). A full calendar of events confirms the Theatre’s popularity, which ensures a continuing contribution to the economy.

Heritage of the City

Romanesque church Stiftskirche (Collegiate Church) is one of the most significant historic structures in Baden-Baden. Imperial documents note that a church existed in the same location as far back as 987 C.E. Stiftskirche has a long history of refurbishments leading up to and also after the city fire in 1689, yet interior elements from 1467 remain. Remarkably the West Tower, which dates back to 1245 still stands (Baden-Baden Kur & Tourismus GmbH 2020, para. 1-4)

Skiftskirche is a striking feature on the landscape of Baden-Baden, as it towers above the surrounding buildings and is visible from various points throughout the town. This structure creates the history, through memories, of the town and contributes to its sense of place.

The preservation of 2000 year old historical artefacts is evident beneath Friedrichsbad, where Roman baths were discovered during construction. Paid tours are conducted for visitors to showcase this incredible sight, highlighting how important displaying the history of Baden-Baden is, for the locals. I’d like to think that the Roman concept genius loci, is present in Baden-Baden. As explained by Norberg-Schulz (1976, p. 280) this is a guardian spirit of people and places which determines their character or essence. The natural phenomenon of thermal springs existing from 2000 years ago, aligns the relationship between the physical and emotional state, for residents and visitors alike.

Stiftskirche

Urban Section- Sophienstrabe Baden-Baden.

Conclusion

Analysing the character, physical condition and structure of Baden-Baden, sees a compact, walkable well-maintained town that merges with the surrounding landscape. A history founded 2000 years ago brimming with social and cultural meaning, is present throughout the town. The rhythm of the streets although intertwining and somewhat confusing provide a journey of where the observer is and where they’re going, utilising reference points. This theory explored by Cullen (1961, p. 120) recognises the maze of the city centre as a dramatic juxtaposition. Providing visual contrasts throughout the town ensures a deeper sense of place. The various open green spaces of Baden-Baden provide relief and a directional tool whilst wandering the streets.

The town has greatly benefited from the forward thinking of past innovative entrepreneurs who saw the economic potential of Baden-Baden and developed the town around it. The town has harnessed the presence of natural thermal springs and developed a booming economy since the 1850’s. The city’s future development would benefit from further exploitation of its geothermal energy, which is the only renewable form of thermal energy (Green Galaxies 2018, para. 1). This would include the installation of near-by power plants capturing the hot water and steam to generate electricity for the town. This would ensure a reputation of sustainability and cement its tourism economy. The value of which is realised by the present-day price of a 2hr walking tour of the historical sights, for AU$640.

Examining Baden-Baden’s urban environment has resulted in ontological assumptions. All main public buildings are surrounded by large open green spaces, with a level of formality. The main neighbourhood roads also direct visitors, to these points of interest. Concluding that these public facilities emerge as the dominate features in Baden-Baden’s overall design. The crowded centre of town sees numerous pedestrian laneways, providing short cuts through the building envelopes. Perhaps a way of socialising with immediate neighbours. The vast amount of green space within the city limits emphasises the importance of landscape within the urban environment.

Designed around a specific function, Baden-Baden is a bath city focussing on leisure. Where visitors come to relax, enjoy and have a memorable time. Where the economic exchange and interaction, combined with cultural and social levels, forms the city of Baden-Baden.

Thankyou

Kylie Henderson

N01001361

DAH525 Architecture and the City

Sem 1, 2020

Unit Coordinator: Mirko Guaralda

Thankyou

References

References

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Baden-Baden Kur & Tourismus GmbH. 2020. How do you say ‘Lifestyle’ in German? https://www.baden-baden.com/en

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contemporary neighbourhood public space in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.” Habitat International, 53 (0): 30-38. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197397515002453

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Fingleton, D. 1998. “Restaurant: Baden-Baden: The spa experience.” The Spectator 281 (8865): 98. https://search.proquest.com/docview/201188477?accountid=13380&rfr_id=info%3Axri%2Fsid%3Aprimo

Green Galaxies. 2018. “Geothermal Energy.” Accessed April 18, 2020. https://www.greengalaxies.net/knowledge-bank/renewable-energy/geothermal

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Smith, R. & Hofer, R. 1994. “German spas part 2: Baden Baden.” Total Health 16 (5): 48.

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Stadtwiki Baden Baden. 2013. “Friedrichsbad.” Last modified November 25, 2013. http://en.stadtwiki-baden-baden.de/wiki/Friedrichsbad/

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. 2012. “Baden-Baden, Germany.” Last modified July 24, 2012. https://www.britannica.com/place/Baden-Baden-Germany

Theatre Baden-Baden. 2019. “History Theatre Baden-Baden.” Accessed April 7, 2020. https://www.theater-baden-baden.de/das-haus/geschichte

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