Master's Thesis AR · Summer Semester 2023 · Christoph König

The thesis aimed to examine the current and future challenges facing small villages and to develop long-term perspectives for their sustainable development. Secondary settlements such as Schornweisach are often given little consideration in municipal planning strategies. The thesis highlights the potential of existing village structures and develops a long-term strategy that can support local decision-makers in shaping future development.

Schornweisach is a village within the municipality of Uehlfeld in the district of Neustadt an der Aisch–Bad Windsheim, Bavaria. Incorporated into the municipality during the municipal reform of 1969, the village is situated in a small valley along the Weisach stream and is surrounded by agricultural land and forests. Its historic character is reflected in a number of distinctive buildings. Like many rural villages, however, Schornweisach is experiencing demographic change. Population decline, the closure of essential local services such as the bakery and kindergarten, and limited public transport have reduced the village’s attractiveness. Although the region offers considerable potential for cycle tourism, connections to neighbouring villages remain insufficient. Many agricultural businesses are now operated only as part-time enterprises. Increasing vacancy rates and the absence of a clearly defined village centre further challenge the future development of the settlement.

Based on a comprehensive site analysis and numerous discussions with local residents, the thesis developed a sustainable development strategy for Schornweisach. The lack of a central meeting place for the community was identified as one of the village’s most significant shortcomings.

The strategy therefore focuses on reactivating vacant buildings within the historic village centre. Its objective is to establish a new community hub that serves both the residents of Schornweisach and the surrounding villages. The proposal relocates the existing kindergarten into a vacant barn, while an adjacent barn is transformed into a village kitchen combined with co-working facilities. Additional interventions include a local village shop, a mobility barn, and the restoration and activation of the Weisach riverbank. New pedestrian connections link the historic centre with the surrounding residential areas and improve accessibility throughout the village.

Building on the revitalisation of the village centre, the thesis proposes the adaptive reuse of additional vacant buildings as workshops, studios, a youth barn, and facilities for the local sports club. Together, these interventions establish a network of community-oriented uses that strengthens social cohesion and creates new impulses for the village’s future development.

The thesis demonstrates that Schornweisach can continue to build upon the traditional strengths of village life—community, identity, and social cohesion. At the same time, these qualities need to be complemented by innovation, stronger networks, and new forms of local value creation. As a transferable model for comparable villages, the thesis recommends concentrating future development within the historic village centre and the first row of buildings. In addition, intergenerational housing concepts can serve as an important catalyst for sustainable development and help rural communities respond to demographic change.