Gateway to Bulach

Urban Design Planing

4. Semester SoSe 2022

Institut of Urban and Landscape Design

Professorship of Landscapearchitecture

Prof. D.P.L.G. Henri Bava

Susanne Gerstberger

Arturo Romero

in collaboration with:

An Li, Moritz Buck, Hieu Pham

The site is located in the urban context of the city of Karlsruhe. Karlsruhe, like many other large cities, is facing increasing pressure for housing and growth. In its "Spatial Guiding Principles", the city explicitly commits to a land-saving land policy that excludes development areas in the outskirts and preserves valuable landscape areas for climate protection. Within the framework of Karlsruhe's inner development, therefore, increasing emphasis must be placed on the transformation of existing areas.

The aim is therefore to generate a balanced, new mix from which the neighbourhoods and adjoining districts can benefit, with consideration for the integration of new living, working, leisure and lifestyle concepts, as well as new urban concepts of climate adaptation and biodiversity promotion.

The design quarter is located next to Bulach and thus becomes an addition to the existing suburb. Our planning included a strong focus on open spaces in combination with green spaces that extend beyond the area. Karlsruhe's green corridor, which is defined in the city's mission statement, thus extends into our urban area. Green areas are supported by the adjacent alder ditch and provide biodiversity in the neighbourhood.

The Erlengraben divides the area into four sections, all of which create a mix of different typologies.

A railway line runs through the middle of the site, which we want to connect with Karlsruhe's public transport system to increase mobility. This is also supported by "shared spaces" in the streets.