Erlenmatt Ost is a residential and mixed-use district in Basel, developed by Stiftung Habitat on a former industrial site. The project is presented by the foundation as a successful urban-planning experiment that combines housing, public spaces, and social mixing under difficult site conditions, including proximity to a major urban motorway and a constrained plot layout.1
The first construction phase ran from 2010 to 2019 and included three houses built by Stiftung Habitat, a conversion of a historic silo into a hostel and commercial building, and six additional residential buildings created by leasehold tenants.2 The district is designed around affordable rents, a diversified housing offer, and shared spaces that encourage everyday interaction between residents from different social and age groups.12 A key technical feature is the neighbourhood energy centre, which supplies the quarter with 100% renewable energy; all roofs are equipped with photovoltaic systems, and the area is described as the largest self-consumption community in Switzerland.1
The project is still being completed in phases. A second stage in the northern part of the site is planned through 2027, with additional housing and commercial space to round out the district.24 The page and related project material indicate that the scheme reflects Stiftung Habitat’s broader mission as a Basel-based nonprofit housing provider focused on affordable housing in a liveable and diverse environment.7