Römerstadt

After World War I, a new planned satellite town was constructed at Römerstadt, outside Frankfurt in Germany, with the intention to improve housing and living conditions.

In 1925 Frankfurt's mayor, Ludwig Landmann, selected the architect Ernst May from Breslau in Silesia to take control of all building and construction departments in the city.

Although May did not solve the housing crisis he inherited, he did commence an unprecedented program of innovative planning, research, and construction that attracted the attention of and participation by many of Europe's leading architects and planners.

In the theme of the Garden City movement, a green-belt link was to be created between the new settlements to foster a new sense of community (Mullin, 1977, p. 8).

Römerstadt may be seen as an exemplary settlement in its attempt to fuse modern living with nature: Its ample amenities, low density, cohesive design of households, complete with electricity, cable radio and modern kitchens, offered the most luxurious array of fixtures to families of moderate means in all of Germany.

[3]: 340 Unfortunately, Römerstadt could also be considered ahead of its time because by 1928, due to price rises in electricity, tenants could not afford to live in such accommodation.

In 1929, research found that of 448 Römerstadt families, only half were happy with electricity; 35% responded that the kitchen's utilities were too expensive, forcing them to live in dark rooms with no heating or cooking facilities; Most reported technical problems of one sort or another, most notably the hot-water tank in many homes which froze for seven weeks or more during the unusually harsh winter of 1928/1929.

Römerstadt failed to achieve its socialist, utopian goals mainly due to the economic crises of the 1920s, which led to prohibitive power prices.