All of the houses were built to a low energy consumption standard and it was the first housing community in the world where the homes produce a positive energy balance. The area was set up with a car free concept in mind so much of the neighborhood is blocked off from cars as pedestrian and bike zones. Citizen participiation has had a large impact on the development of Vauban and the people living there truly run the neighborhood. Eventually, the Freiburg City Council worked with the group to develop the area in an eco-freindly way. The neighborhood, Vauban, used to be French military barracks and after the military left in the '90s the vacant buildings were taken over by hippies and anarchists. We've been able to study Vauban in several of our classes and it's so cool to be actually living in a place that we're learning about in class. Right before coming to Freiburg, I actually watched a documentary about a sustainable future called Tomorrow and they featured Vauban briefly which got me so excited to be living here. Vauban is truly famous for its innovations and successes in sustainable living and communities. A short tram ride to city center, but we're also living right next to amazing running/hiking/biking trails, beautiful vineyards, fruit trees, and the countryside. I'm so happy to be living here and it's the best of both worlds. It's one of the 'greenest' neighborhoods in the world and filled with birks, vegans, van-lifers and dreadlocks.

Vauban, the neighborhood where about half of our program lives (including me) is a hippie paradise. I'm studying environmental science and sustainability so I think it's a given that I'm some part hippie. Here's a little bit about the wonderful neighborhood that I live in, Vauban. We've finally figured it out though, and I can't wait to spam you with all I've learned this semester! With only 3 weeks left in Freiburg, I'm starting to get incredibly nostalgic and I only look back on these 3 months with the fondest of memories. I'm back! Sorry for the huge delay in posts, but I have been having some technical difficulties all semester with posting.

Hippie ways of life