Duisburg Nord Green Belt
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
Category
Project Description
In addition to the urban planning goal of straightening out the conflict between industry and residential use by developing a green buffer and improving the networking of green structures on a large scale, the green belt as a "park on the doorstep" is intended to increase the quality of life in Bruckhausen and create a new point of identification for its residents.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Which funds
Other Funds
European Union - European Regional Development Fund
Integrated district development Duisburg-Bruckhausen / Marxloh / Beeck
Construction time / completion: 2008 - 2016
Project type: Open space
Description of the project
Summary
The green belt in Bruckhausen, also known as the “park on the doorstep”, is part of the Duisburg-Nord green belt project. The urban redevelopment measure was carried out by the city of Duisburg as the client in cooperation with EG DU Entwicklungsgesellschaft Duisburg mbH and the landscape architecture office r+b landschaftsarchitektur.
The Duisburg-Nord green belt is an urban renewal measure financed by the EU, the federal government, the state and thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG in the three Duisburg districts of Marxloh, Bruckhausen and Beeck, which was carried out from 2008 to 2016.
An essential component was the elimination of the existing urban development grievances through the demolition of residential buildings in areas that were affected by high vacancies and in which the buildings were often in a very poor structural condition. The aim of the project was to further stabilize the districts through integrated action with the participation of the residents and to improve the urban development situation - and the associated quality of life. In addition, the three districts were structurally upgraded and measures to stabilize them were implemented.
Most of the measures were carried out in Bruckhausen. Almost 291 households with 700 people have moved and 121 buildings have been dismantled. This was mainly possible because the residents were involved early and intensively in the change process. The urban structures were improved and a high-quality green belt was created as a buffer to the industrial facilities. In May 2016 the “park on the doorstep” was officially opened.
Urban redevelopment west - partial dismantling of a residential area - new construction of a park as a buffer to the adjacent industrial site - revitalization, improvement of the residential area - construction of a landscape structure with noise protection function with noise protection function - citizen participation
Key objectives for sustainability
In addition to the urban planning goal of straightening out the conflict between industry and residential use by developing a green buffer and improving the networking of green structures on a large scale, the green belt as a "park on the doorstep" is intended to increase the quality of life in Bruckhausen and create a new point of identification for its residents.
The areas of the new park are part of the Duisburg Nord green belt, which links the green corridor system in the north of Duisburg and in the future will create a buffer between the industrial areas west of Bruckhausen and the residential development in the town center.
With the new park, a formerly densely built-up and industrially polluted district has been transformed into a dynamic public space and large areas of sealed and contaminated terrain have been freed.
With the intensive participation of the residents, the three disadvantaged quarters were stabilized and the local quality of life and urban development improved. By demolishing residential buildings in areas that were affected by high vacancies and poor building fabric, urban development grievances could be eliminated and a natural recreational area was built.
Through design, the appropriation of the open space was ensured equally for the entire population and the attractiveness of the use for play, relaxation and recreation was promoted for all genders.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The main goal was to revitalize and add value to an industrially polluted district and to improve urban, structural, social and economic problem areas by means of landscape architecture.
The redesigned park connects and highlights creative, ecological and social issues in equal measure. The terms city park, city garden and city square merge into a new entity.
The noise barrier as a walkable spatial sculpture was made from 80,000m³ of soil in an environmentally and resource-friendly manner. The installation of over 550 different precast concrete elements enables an optimal relationship between the topographical spatial edge and level surface. The dense planting of deciduous trees in the form of a hedge and hall-like park forest elevates the landscape structure and is a contribution to a sustainable, climate-friendly city.
The integration of cross-generational games and leisure activities increases the attractiveness and possible uses.
Key objectives for inclusion
In order to take into account the different needs of people of all ages and origins, the planning was based on the principles of gender mainstreaming. The aim was to develop open spaces that can be used equally by all user groups in terms of time and space.
In the run-up to a landscape architecture competition, different stakeholder groups from the district worked out their wishes and ideas for the design of the “park on the doorstep” as part of a preliminary participation process, which were incorporated into the competition text as a collection of ideas.
In the subsequent planning steps for the further implementation of the new park, the comprehensive participation culture in Bruckhausen was continued even after the competition. In the course of further implementation planning, detailed measures were coordinated with the residents in workshops.
The “citizens' workshop” as a methodological procedure was used in the context of voluntary citizen participation. As a moderated event, it is geared towards creative participation, discussion and consensus building in the event of conflicts.
Relevant and active groups in the district were addressed: women, traders, children and young people, the renovation council / round table and the entire residents of Bruckhau¬sen and Beeck.
During the entire planning process for the green belt project, the focus was not on finding expensive design solutions by experts, but rather, on taking into account the wishes and needs of everyone in the district, especially those with less articulation. These groups include e.g. older people, migrant families and women.
Results in relation to category
The isolated location of the district between the steelworks and the motorway, the small amount of open space and the considerable pollution levels became more and more of a problem in the post-war period.
Through the intervention of the targeted demolition and the creation of a multifunctional green area, a part of the city characterized by urban loss of functionality and social grievances could be stabilized and given a new identity. The successful and very intensive participatory support of the renovation process is the reason for the high level of acceptance of the green area to this day.
After completion in 2015, the new park was able to create an attractive green and open space with high quality of stay, especially for the citizens of Bruckhausen and for visitors from outside, and thus stabilize the district in the long term.
How Citizens benefit
The activating and coordinating work of the district office as well as the cooperation with the accompanying specialist offices and stakeholders from the local institutions was essential for the entire process. The intensive exchange between citizens, stakeholders and planners in the context of workshops and the implementation based on this has strengthened the acceptance of the renovation measure and given the district a new, livable identity.
Ideas and possible measures for upgrading the remaining part of the city were discussed with the tradespeople in particular, but also with members of the renovation council / round table.
Innovative character
Designing a picture that intelligently links traces of “history” with the future was the central task of this project, alongside the functional necessities and constraints. To develop a park on the edge of the iron and steel works, where the development of Bruckhausen began 120 years ago, a park whose design in the area of tension between industry, nature and living would have an impact beyond the borders of Bruckhausen and thus create a perspective for the future of the district and its residents.
As a result, a multifunctional park was designed that takes into account the different usage requirements. The design of the park combines a high level of usability with the sustainability of the structures offered. An easy orientation within the park strengthens the subjective feeling of security of the users. The park has developed into a place of meeting and identification for the residents of Bruckhausen.
