75 European quarters compete for the 2006 DIFA-AWARD
International relevance of focusing on quarters confirmed by entries from 16 countries
As the 2006 DIFA-AWARD moves into its second phase, one thing is clear: The local district or quarter is now firmly established at European level as a key urban development model. A total of 75 urban quarters from 16 European countries across the continent have submitted entries for the “property prize of the cities” with prize money totalling 30,000 euros. The 37 German towns and cities competing for the accolade of “quarter with the highest quality of life” are joined by quarter projects from Edinburgh, Dublin, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, Brussels, Maastricht, Bologna, Madrid, Ankara and elsewhere. The winner of this Europe-wide comparison will be announced at the EXPO REAL 2006 commercial property show in Munich as part of the DIFA Forum. Ahead of the show, a shortlist will be created in March 2006 when the best quarters are nominated for the second stage of the competition.
The competition organisers – Hamburg-based DIFA Deutsche Immobilien Fonds AG – selected this year’s theme to highlight the conditions that allow an urban location to become a sustainable, attractive environment for working, living and visiting. The 2006 DIFA-AWARD focuses on quality of life in completed quarters based on architectural, town planning and social factors. The jury will also assess the mix of uses within the quarter, cooperation between the public and private sectors, as well as the extent to which quarter users are involved in shaping their surroundings. Cultural and social diversity within the quarter is a further assessment criterion.
The DIFA-AWARD was launched in 2001 by DIFA Deutsche Immobilien Fonds AG, the Hamburg-based property fund company within the Union Investment Group. It is presented every two years to European real estate projects that make a lasting contribution to boosting the attractiveness of towns and cities. The DIFA-AWARD has gained international recognition among local government decision-makers and property market participants involved in sustainable urban development in Europe.
An overview of the quarter projects entered for the competition can be found online at http://www.difa-award.com
Press contact
DIFA Deutsche Immobilien Fonds AG
Real Estate Marketing Communication
Fabian Hellbusch
Caffamacherreihe 8, 20355 Hamburg, Germany
Tel: +49 40 3491 9160, Fax: +49 40 3491 9190
E-mail: fabian.hellbusch@difa.de
