Conversion and Expansion of the Uferstraße
Frankenberg (Eder)
Client: City of Frankenberg (Eder)
Cost: 5.745.000€ (KG 200 – 700), 1.706.395 € (KG 500)
Area: 50.449 sqm
Service Phases: Lph 1 – 9
Duration: 2017 – 2021, 1.BA Park Completion date 2019, 2.BA Renaturation Completion 2021
In collaboration with: Oppemann Engineering und EHS Engineering, Kassel
Initial situation
The town of Frankenberg is located in the Grimm homeland of northern Hesse, in the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg, and is characterised by its rural surroundings. The medieval town centre with its predominantly half-timbered buildings and the proximity to tourist regions such as the Burgwald-Ederbergland, the Sauerland and the Kellerwald-Edersee National Park attract tourists all year round. The banks of the Eder in Frankenberg were dominated by the B 252 federal road for decades. The wide road with its separate parking lane cut the town off from the floodplain and there was no quality of stay along the Eder.
The construction project was intended to give the main road, which was replaced by a neighbouring road, a new meaning.
As part of the initiative to promote a liveable city and ensure, improve and optimise mobility, the riverbank road was to be redesigned over a length of around 820 metres.
Redesign
The main task was to transform Uferstraße into a wide promenade with the character of an avenue and to integrate it into the cityscape. In addition, Uferstraße was to play a central role within the urban and regional public transport network.
For this reason, the traffic area was reorganised: The road was narrowed so that there is now space for a wide footpath and cycle path with recreational facilities. Around 100 parking spaces were arranged along the road. These parking spaces serve visitors to the nearby Eder floodplain and also provide a local pedestrian connection to the city centre. Japanese pubescent trees (Sophora japonica) were planted to shade the car parks. Various low-maintenance perennial plantings, which provide a splash of colour all year round, also flank the riverside road.
By lowering the road towards the Eder, it is now visible from the city and can be experienced by residents and visitors alike. Numerous seating areas with views of the landscape have been installed along the road, inviting people to take a short break.
A new bridge with hiking and cycle paths also leads to the neighbouring Ederbergland recreational area.
In addition to the street space, the neighbouring natural area along the Eder was also upgraded. The Nemphe was renaturalised and forms the heart of the new riverside park. Several footbridges along the Eder offer recreational opportunities right by the water.
Here too, a variety of localised shrubs and woody plants are used to create the natural space.
