THE deputy mayor of a German city which has inspired designs behind Oxford’s major expansion said any city could achieve its success.

Deputy mayor of Freiburg Martin Haag, who has responsibility for urban development, spoke after the Oxford Mail revealed his city was being used as a blueprint for the Barton West development.

Since it first began its expansion in the 1990s, Freiburg has been celebrated for its sustainable expansion.

Prof Haag said: “I think any city can aspire to achieve what we have done.

“Though you cannot necessarily copy it, you can take inspiration.

“Our developments do not look completely different from other new areas, but the differences are in the details.

“We have car-free areas and we have lots of areas for markets and coffee shops.

“Houses in Freiburg are built to a lower carbon standard than the national German one.”

In 1992 Freiburg, which is on the edge of the Black Forest, was dubbed Germany’s “environmental capital” and has been named European City of the Year.

Prof Haag added: “It is a very long path and it is not just one decision which sends you in the right direction.

“There is a big conflict in Freiburg between looking to keep our medieval city and coping with big expansion. Our city is growing by 2,000 people a year.”

Census figures show that over the past 10 years Oxford’s population has grown by more than 1,600 people a year.

The Barton West development will see up to 1,200 homes built.

Work is set to start next year.