structural development

The beautiful life in Upper Lusatia 

Living between Lake Olbersdorf and the Zittau Mountains – a dream for many.

Where the Olbersdorf opencast mine once led to extensive depopulation, today the idyllic landscape of southern Upper Lusatia attracts visitors with a unique combination of nature, quality of life and recreational value. However, many people from the city still find it difficult to take the step and make the region their home. Often it is a lack of housing options that are both modern and future-oriented as well as affordable, and the feeling of having to find your way in a new environment on your own. 

This is exactly where the ANDERSWOHNEN project from the non-profit organization Anders Wurzeln eV comes in. The aim is to overcome the special challenges of rural areas and post-mining landscapes with innovative and forward-looking solutions. Historic buildings are preserved, renovated in a resource-saving manner and transformed into modern living space. “Our region is full of buildings that shape the townscape and reflect the identity of the residents,” explains Mia-Lisa Meaubert, board member of the association. “We don’t just want to save these homes, we want to design them to meet the needs of young people and families. Because Upper Lusatia has the potential to offer a wonderful home.” 

The project is supported by the project managers Laura Horst and Franziska Kusche from the ENO Structural Change Taskforce. Their expertise flows into concept development, applying for funding and finding investors. This collaboration and the uniqueness of the project led to it being nominated as a Saxon climate model project for affordable and climate-neutral living. 

A model project with charisma 

What is special about ANDERSWOHNEN is the combination of climate neutrality, social justice and regional identity. The renovation of a residential stable house that is at least 150 years old shows how sustainable building can be achieved in existing buildings - without sacrificing modern amenities. The combination of historical character with innovative technology makes the project a role model for other rural regions. 

Climate-neutral living: how does it work? 

The path to climate-neutral living begins with the careful renovation of the existing building using natural, regional building materials such as wood, clay and stone. This is complemented by modern technologies: a photovoltaic system generates electricity, a bio-heater ensures circular heat generation, and energy-efficient building technology minimizes consumption. Not only is the existing gray energy used optimally, but ongoing operations are also designed to conserve resources. 

The social component of the project is particularly important to the association. From 2026, the living spaces will be offered at socially acceptable rents, making them accessible to people from all walks of life. The focus is on community and solidarity: barrier-free apartments, spacious family apartments and attic rooms suitable for shared flats with flexible floor plans offer the right home for every phase of life. Multifunctional common rooms and kitchens promote togetherness and create space for meetings and exchanges. 

The project shows that climate protection and social justice are not contradictory, but can complement each other. It offers solutions to pressing questions of our time: How can we live in a climate-friendly way without overtaxing people's financial possibilities? How can existing historical commercial buildings be renovated in a resource-saving manner and made usable for the future? And how do we create housing models that promote community and inclusion? 

By implementing it in an economically weaker region, the project shows that rural areas also offer potential for sustainable innovations. It is not just a housing project, but a statement: It makes it clear that sustainable and affordable living is not a utopia, but can become a living reality. 

Would you like to find out more or consider becoming part of this project? Anyone interested in housing and investors can contact the project team directly or find out more on the website: 
👉 www.anders Wurzeln.de 
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Together we show that sustainable living goes hand in hand with quality of life - and Upper Lusatia is a place where dreams of a good life become reality. 

Note on the images in the title and at the end of the article: AI-generated concept images for the Anderwohnen project