Regeneration of a derelict site into sports, play and recreation areas

Location Cologne, Germany Client / operator City of Cologne

Landscape architects WES LandschaftsArchitektur DE –22303 Hamburg www.wes-la.de

Parkour elements X-MOVE GmbH www.x-move.net

Slackline PLAYPARC www.playparc.de

Author Johannes Bühlbecker More Sports Media

Photos Guido Erbring Official opening 2021

FROM THE FRINGES TO AN URBAN OASIS

REGENERATION OF A DERELICT SITE INTO SPORTS, PLAY AND RECREATION AREAS

The ecological regeneration of Westerwaldstrasse in Cologne is a perfect example of how landscape architecture can meet the challenges posed by climate change and soil pollution in a challenging social context. The project site more than two kilometres long now provides not only attractive areas for play and sports, but also barrier-free local recreation facilities, paths and spaces to promote social interaction – and significantly improves climatic conditions. The project is the work of WES LandschaftsArchitektur from Hamburg.

Typical of the planning site were the high degree of sealed surfaces, building density, air and noise pollution, and pronounced social segregation. In addition, 90 to 95 per cent of the surfaces are damaged by a legacy of contamination. What was needed, therefore, was a plan that would create more green spaces, a better quality of life and more for residents to identify with – and at the same time meet the ecological challenges of the future.

Kannebäckersiedlung Westerwaldstraße

Östlicher Zubringer

Festwiese

Neue Anbindung Achse Westerwaldstraße

An der Lenzwiese

Public participation through street parties The planners of WES LandschaftsArchitektur divided the area along Westerwaldstrasse as the central east-west axis into three areas: the neighbourhood greenery of the Kannebäcker residential estate, the central park of the Festwiese meadow and the new sports and play areas in the Lenzwiese meadow.

The ecological importance of the project is considerable: the planting of more than 200 new trees, the upgrading of wasteland, newly planted traditional orchards and feed meadows for birds and insects counteract air and noise pollution and significantly improve biodiversity and the local micro-climate.

Early public participation in the form of site inspections, street parties and workshops ensured local people‘s trust and involvement in this cooperative planning process.

Main axis and the Kannebäcker estate Westerwaldstrasse forms the main axis of the new link between the inner-city green corridor on the right bank of the

Rhine and the outer Cologne green belt. Over a length of almost two kilometres, it combines a chain of green spaces with wider open spaces, connecting the Kannebäcker estate, the Festwiese meadow and the Lenzwiese meadow.

The plans are for the Kannebäcker estate area to become quieter. The completely barrier-free areas and the new neighbourhood public space encourage residents to socialize. New pathways make car-free mobility in the neighbourhood more attractive, framing a small square with lawns that also serves as a meeting place for the neighbourhood.

Smooth transition from one part of the facility area to another The Festwiese is the project area‘s central green space – a neighbourhood park with a variety of activities, in one place and without spatial separation. The newly created children‘s play area and the streetball court are available for all-age activities.

The bleak landscape at the Lenzwiese was noted for its abandoned sports ground, its unattractive playground and its unusable wasteland. Here, WES created an exercise course, a 50-m running track, an obstacle course and a playground. What is particularly attractive is that the parts of the facility merge into one another.

A circular arena with a diameter of 100 m has been built on the site of the former mineral surface. Around it runs a radial woodchip track about 300 m long. The east side of the circular arena has been designed as a turf area with two goals 40 m apart. Seating for spectators and passers-by the pitch

and around the edges completes the picture of an attractive, state-of-the-art and sustainable sports facility.

Conclusion: from the fringes to an urban oasis At the start of the project, Cologne‘s Westerwaldstrasse was in a desolate state. A lot of sealed surfaces, little greenery, closed sports fields and playgrounds, and lots of historic soil contamination. The only prospect for the future seemed to be increasing social segregation.

The outcome of the Westerwaldstrasse regeneration project is a continuous and highly attractive eight-hectare green area with a variety of activities from the park bench on the doorstep to the arena at the Lenzwiese. The appeal of the neighbourhood has been enhanced. This is a project that reduces the pollution and improves the quality of life – and both significantly.