Stuttgart Diary
Embarking on the journey from Stuttgart Airport to the Premier Inn, the train ride offered a unique characteristic of German residential architecture. All windows have external shades for insulation to keep the room warm in the winter and cool in the summer and privacy. Furthermore, solar panels usually complement those windows that are installed on many roofs to reduce the energy use from fossil fuels for electricity and heat supply. I can still remember when the tour guide of the Stuttgart 21 said that she could even see what percentages her solar panels generated to account for her total energy usage.
Additionally, the conversation with Thorsten Donn, the head of Stuttgart City Planning, at the welcome dinner about his visions for the city intrigued me, marrying green ambition with urban development. Stuttgart is not only a city of manufacturing but also a green city. I recall discussing how future urban landscapes will cater to the young and old, fostering life-work balance and social connectedness. The first one is to ensure the safety of all age groups; for example, six-year-old children can go to school independently through meticulous road planning. Furthermore, the plan is committed to reducing pollution and achieving negative carbon production by enhancing public transportation and a cityscape designed for foot traffic, cycling, and communal interaction. The intricate web of commercial streets, government buildings, and restaurants intersects at the statue in the center of Stuttgart’s Palace Square, surrounded by green spaces. Lastly, what I remembered the most was how to improve the overall economy. Mr. Donn said that if all store owners on a commercial street unanimously agreed on a reconstruction, it indicates that the rebuild would be worthwhile and successful. People anticipate its positive impact by increasing sales and customer satisfaction overall.
Lastly, I learned the most about the Stuttgart 21, which will transform the current 14 above-ground tracks into underground 8-track high-speed trains and double the capacity of passengers. This encapsulates the city’s forward-thinking objective. There are several highlights that are enlightening. Residential houses will replace the future demolition of the tracks. In order to reduce the noise generated when braking and accelerating the trains, a unique air ventilation system is being used to create space to allow the air to escape and reduce the noise pollution from the trains. In addition to this, the space between the track and the ground is separated by special green and blue rubber to dampen the sound of trains braking. The introduction of natural lights through 28 glass bubbles makes the underground spaces brighter and more sustainable by reducing electricity usage. What makes me feel how meticulous Germans are is the 1.5-degree angle of the station. This will make the strollers slide towards the middle, not the tracks.
Therefore, herein lies the city’s pulse: a fusion of individual well-being and collective progress.
