Can the individuality of self‐build and the orderliness of planned urbanism come together, while ensuring future adaptability? Cologne‐based practice BeL Sozietät für Architektur have been investigating through NEUBAU – affordable development initiatives for urban peripheries. From an initial hybrid of multistorey housing and self‐build erected for a major exhibition, to broader proposals for the outskirts of Hamburg, Leipzig, Düsseldorf and Munich, NEUBAU involves a co‐productive process between architects, planners and users that can reduce costs and help build communities – as BeL cofounders Anne‐Julchen Bernhardt and Jörg Leeser explain.