Modelling ❘ The entire park area is modelled according to these demands and uses, with the principal aim of ensuring all materials remain on site. Excavated spoil from the depression will be employed to form small hills for play and relaxation, or landscaped with plants. The new island will also use this spoil to form it and build it up. Here, intensive greening complete with nesting and nourishing shrubs and insect hotels provides a refuge for animals.

Resources and planting ❘ In selecting materials, emphasis has been placed on the responsible use of resources. Great importance is attached to ensuring short supply routes, using local materials and CO2-neutral forms of production. The extent of paved areas is deliberately kept to a minimum. It is only the meandering paths and the access routes through the park that have a water-permeable surface, whereby the top layer is strewn with a local gravel mix. The area next to the lake will be paved in keeping with the overall plan for the lake promenade. The steps in front are made of prefabricated concrete elements, providing an attractive place to linger right by the water. Furniture and play equipment in the park will be manufactured from certified, durable wood. Planting in the park is deliberately varied, with intensively planted areas alternating with open lawns and meadows. Towards the periphery, areas become more intensively planted. Not only do the various tree types stand closer together, they are also underplanted with shrubs. These are nourishing shrubs and thus provide habitats for animals. In selecting the plants, careful thought has been given to species diversity and sustainability, with a view to increasing biodiversity in the park.

Mobility

The future design of Herten’s market square was developed against the backdrop of climate change, the changing understanding of mobility and the numerous user requirements for public spaces. The concept is characterised by a high standard of amenity and a shift of stationary traffic to directly adjacent areas.

The aim is to reduce motorised traffic within the area to a minimum in order to create a generous open space offering plenty of room for the market, active uses and undisturbed recreational opportunities. Consequently, the square and the neighbouring streets are to be designated as a pedestrian zone, which can only be used by delivery and market traffic at walking speed for a limited period of time. Contrary to the announcement, only seven parking spaces will be created within the area in the southern section, as the formulated requirements for conflict-free traffic organisation, design, greenery and quality of stay of the future market square cannot be reconciled with its use as a car park and counteract the necessary conversion and its objectives.

In addition, the car parks on Kurt-Schumacher-Straße, the underground car park under the market square, which will be renovated, and the Vitusstraße car park, which will be extended in the future, provide sufficient parking space within walking distance. These pedestrian connections will be qualitatively linked to the city centre thanks to their increased attractiveness. In the future, parking space management should make it possible to shift more stationary traffic and, for example, accommodate long-term parkers in the underground car park. The creation of bicycle parking facilities at the individual retail locations and a central facility with weather protection, charging infrastructure for pedelecs and parking spaces for special bicycles will improve the accessibility of the market square for other modes of transport and promote active mobility. In addition, the pedestrian connection to the ‘Kurt-Schumacher-Straße’ bus stop will be upgraded.

The tactile guiding strip in the existing area will also be extended and enable barrier-free access to the market square, Antoniusstraße and the neighbouring alleyways.

Walkway

A path leads along the existing wall over steps, which serves as a new north-south connection and leads directly to Judengasse. A barrier-free path starts further east and also leads via the central square to the connecting path. The average gradient is 4.5%, creating a comfortable, intergenerational place to pass through and spend time.

The small Moritzplatz on Bertholdstrasse serves as the entrance to the new green area in the Moritz neighbourhood. Seating on benches and steps will be created here, inviting people to linger and meet.

Residence

A pavilion can be erected below the police building with two sides directly adjacent to the central square. This pavilion offers sufficient space for outdoor seating for café use and provides a limited view of the police building and the car park behind it. Instead, it directs the view towards the new connection to Judengasse.

Planting

The intensive greening creates a small urban oasis that meets both the requirements of modern city centre open spaces and the challenges of the changing climate. Rainwater can seep away and evaporate directly on the large green areas, while large trees provide shade and thus prevent the paved areas from heating up. These trees are carefully selected to ensure that they can withstand long dry spells in summer.

Development

Car traffic in the entire neighbourhood will be significantly reduced in order to prioritise public open and green spaces as high-quality recreational areas for the residents of the Forstfeld district. Forstbachweg will be converted into a 30 km/h zone in some areas (e.g. Leuschnerstraße). The existing access road and the car parks for the daycare centre will be removed and relocated to Heinrich-Steul-Straße. The areas of the existing car parks will be converted into outdoor play areas for children. The resulting elimination of the break between the youth centre and the adjoining areas will make a significant contribution to moving the Forstbachweg building into the urban context and onto the neighbourhood square. The required parking spaces will be provided in a short cul-de-sac and along Heinrich-Steul-Straße. If required, an underground car park can be built under the tower house. Bicycle parking spaces are provided in the open space with hangers and a lockable bicycle shed. In addition, the lifts in the residential buildings are suitable for bicycles, so that bicycles can also be parked safely and conveniently in their own cellars. It is possible to cycle through the new centre of Forstfeld at a speed of 10 km/h. As the Boomerang House is only planned with three storeys and the tower house and the atrium house will be equipped with safety staircases, no complex fire service bypasses are necessary.

Open space and ecology

The urban development concept results in a high proportion of green spaces with characterising grove structures in the existing buildings, sophisticated new planting and attractive squares. Of particular importance for the concept of the open spaces is the neighbourhood square with a high quality of stay and the connection between the open spaces.

The generous green spaces and the preservation and planting of new trees fulfil the increased need for urban greenery due to climate change. These measures serve as a buffer against heat stress and heavy rainfall events and also act as a dust filter. Wherever possible, rainwater is channelled into open retention basins and made visible. At the same time, the run-off of rainwater from the roofs is minimised by using green roofs as buffer storage.

Open space concept

Opposite the large traffic area of the bus station, the new station forecourt acts as a green link between the unvegetated functional area – the new station and office building and Rialtoboulevard. The interplay between paved surfaces, tree-covered areas of grasses and shrubs and a water feature means that the square not only fulfills its function as a high-traffic transit space, but – equipped with robust street furniture – also becomes an attractive place for waiting people, strollers and visitors to the restaurant. As the adjacent traffic areas are expected to become even hotter in the future, the station forecourt outside the movement areas will be covered with large-crowned, shady trees, which, in combination with the evaporative cooling effect of the fountain, promise a significant cooling effect. The roadway for the buses in the square area will be made of in-situ concrete with the same aggregates and the same color nuances as the pavement in order to ensure a consistent, uniform overall impression.

Squares and streetscapes

The boulevard, which runs through the entire neighbourhood, connects all areas with each other and represents the inner development axis. The space is flanked on both sides by green spaces that extend from the buildings into the boulevard to varying degrees. This gives the entire space a green appearance. The carriageway meanders through these green spaces.

The four neighbourhood squares lined up along the boulevard have different functions. Osramplatz forms the prelude to the neighbourhood. This is an urban square with cafés, benches and open spaces for markets and events. In the evening, the planted areas here shine in a special light and form circles on the ground. Further south is the smaller Ledvance neighbourhood square. Neighbourhood get-togethers take place here. LED panels in the ground shine here when the square is in use. Wolframplatz will have a special highlight. An illuminated wire spans between the existing trees, creating a special atmosphere in the evening hours. Another square is being created between the workshops in the north. Here, craftsmanship takes centre stage. Small exhibitions and markets will be held here.

Trees and plants

All existing trees in the neighbourhood will be preserved in order to use the quality of the already established trees. The existing trees will be supplemented by planting climatic trees. These are characterised by the fact that they can cope with extreme rainfall and waterlogged soils, but also with longer periods of drought. To avoid having to replace the soil for each tree planting, the site is partially backfilled with the existing material. This gives the trees sufficient root space without having to completely remove the old backfill. When selecting the plants, attention is paid to shallow-rooted species. A species-rich planting of shrubs in front of the residential buildings offers both protection for residents and a habitat for many bird and insect species. The green axes are accompanied at the edges by plantings of shrubs and grasses, which require little maintenance due to their lush and dense growth.

Resilient perennials and grasses are planted within the infiltration troughs, which recover quickly even after long periods under water and also survive longer dry periods well.

Rainwater management

In order to create a sustainable neighbourhood, it is primarily important to unseal the surfaces as extensively as possible. This can create a natural climate with infiltration and evaporation directly on site. However, due to the pollution of the soil in the neighbourhood, this is associated with high costs. The design envisages directing rainwater from the neighbourhood into the designated troughs, where the water can collect and seep away. In these areas, the soil is replaced down to below the layers of backfill so that the rainwater can seep unhindered to the groundwater. In order to channel the rainwater into these troughs, the rest of the site will be partially raised.

Raingardens will be created in front of the buildings facing Berliner Allee. The rainwater from the footpaths and cycle paths and the excess rainwater from the roof areas will be channelled into these areas. Thanks to the revitalised soil layers, the cleaned water can seep into the groundwater or evaporate again on the surface. In the event of heavy rainfall, the trough formation allows water to accumulate and gradually seep away.

The roofs are greened and designed as low retention roofs. This means that rainwater can be retained on the roofs and is available for plants and evaporation.

Spaces and uses

With their elongated shape, the two squares P 2 and P 3 form the southern end of two sub-areas in the new neighbourhood. These public communal areas are intended to be understood and used as green transitional and connecting spaces: direct access from the neighbouring areas to the north means that neighbourly life and play are offered here in the immediate vicinity of the living space, and these green spaces also connect the sections of the neighbourhood with each other in an east-west direction. The lush green setting creates a protected space that nevertheless remains open and inviting. Accessible via ramps and steps, the recessed areas offer space for play and sports as well as various places to spend time. Due to its slightly lowered position, the square is an important component of the rainwater concept. In the event of heavy rainfall, the rainwater can be temporarily stored so that it can then evaporate and seep away over unsealed surfaces. Squares P 4 and P 5 will be designed in the same way. Here, too, intensively planted areas will be created with play and recreational facilities. In area P 4, the paved area for the fire brigade will be reduced to the essentials; necessary traffic areas and planted areas will interlock and form soft transitions.

The neighbourhood is invited to meet here on the long benches in the shade under the trees. The small square P 5 forms an island within the necessary turning loop. As very little traffic is expected here, the entire street space can be designed as a square. The inner area forms the green centre. Hedges create a retreat here and large trees provide the necessary shade for the paved areas. Retention areas are also generated here

Rainwater is collected in the recessed areas of the squares and seeps away or evaporates. Integrated or neighbouring plants are selected with a view to tolerating longer dry periods and temporary water accumulation.

Cornflower Square forms the heart of the neighbourhood. Commercial areas and cafés are located here, giving the square a special significance as a place to spend time. The central idea of bringing plenty of greenery into the neighbourhood is also continued here. The green spaces extend across the square and at the same time form a frame towards the street. The areas planted intensively with shrubs and grasses are supplemented by infiltration troughs at the edges. The centre of the square is deliberately kept open to provide space for events such as flea markets. Small drinking fountains offer the opportunity for refreshment and play. 2 cafés line the edges of the square.

In addition to car parking spaces, particular emphasis is placed on a large number of bicycle parking spaces. Bicycles can be parked at various locations; cargo bikes and e-bikes of all kinds can also be charged and parked, making the local shopping centre modern and inviting. This is supported by parking spaces for car sharing, micro and light vehicles and areas for mixed use.

The daycare centre’s raised garden, which is located on the first floor and protected by wide shrubbery, is particularly noteworthy. In addition to play hills and play elements, there are also other deciduous and fruit trees here, which, in combination with beds in the raised garden and inner courtyard, invite children to plant and eat their own food.

The sections of the open spaces correspond closely to the new school building. The forecourt, which opens onto the street, leads directly into the “heart” of the school campus, the central courtyard between the old and new buildings. The fact that a large part of the courtyard is underpinned by a bunker requires raised planting beds for the necessary tree planting. Chill and learning decks alternating with seating steps turn the resulting raised beds into meeting places during breaks and free periods. The cubature of the raised beds is orientated towards the building structures and creates flowing, semi-open spaces that allow individual occupation of the courtyard while maintaining the necessary clarity. A partially covered area for learning and working at group tables and benches is provided in the northern part of the courtyard, somewhat separated from the break area.

The large playground offers sufficient space for exercise, especially for the younger age groups. The existing exercise facilities to the west of the gymnasium will be supplemented by additional facilities such as calisthenics equipment and parcours elements.

In addition to the requirements of the exercise and learning landscape, the open spaces also fulfil fundamental functions of resilient and sustainable area development. These include a maximum of structurally rich vegetation areas, water-permeable surface paving and rainwater management as a circulation system. All roof surfaces of the school buildings are intensively greened – an approx. 20-30 cm thick layer of substrate stores the rainwater and makes it available to the plants. Where possible, rainwater from the paved areas is channelled into the drainage and storage layer of the raised tree beds and also collected in cisterns for the use of service water.