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Main site of case study Leipzig

Green belt Grünau

The whole project "Eilenburger Bahnhof" stretches about 2 kilometres from near the city centre down to the embankment in the east, where suburban railway and goods railway meet each other.

The concept "Eilenburger Bahnhof" was planned to develop as a green finger within the densely populated eastern part of Leipzig, which is characterized by Gründerzeit style and a deficiency of public green.

The whole project is subdivided into three sectors; one of these is the district park Reudnitz, Leipzig's inner city case study site. The park was opened to the public in June 2001 and it provides new opportunities for daily recreation and north-south as well as east-west path connections.

Former use and milestones of development

The district park Reudnitz is part of the former railwaystation "Eilenburger Bahnhof", which was erected as a terminal in 1874 for rail connections to the south. The area of the current district park itself was used for technical functions for the railway, for example, as an engine garage.

The terminal was in use until 1960, when the step-by-step dismantling of the permanent railway commenced. Simultaneously, an untidy development was observed (car dealer, building material stock).

A controversial public discussion about the future use has arisen since the peaceful revolution: development versus greenery:

Main aspects of the planning concept/design

The objectives for the former station "Eilenburger Bahnhof" were:

• the development of a green finger of ecological significance
• to improve the quality of life and to supply recreational areas for the surrounding housing estates
• the development of an advanced network of cycle tracks and footpaths within the neighbourhood and down to the boroughs
• integration of new management methods

The central idea is to provide a sequence of different greenery: commonly used allotments, meadows, playgrounds and sports fields for every age group. Since the project strives for a high aesthetical quality, works of art are arranged. An overground long distance heating pipeline, recycling material and some listed elements (engine garage, walls) are integrated into the concept. It was important to keep the visual connection with the city center.

Main ecological and social goals

to protect the area as a fresh-air ventilation corridor predominantly native plants were selected as appropriate to this habitat, especially herbaceous plants and partially wild growing shrubs to provide a place for daily recreation for every age group to provide a central social-cultural venue, which offers gastronomy and leisure facilities to encourage people to take responsibility for a commonly used allotment to encourage people to cycle into the city and into the surrounding countryside

Short description of the current situation

The district park Reudnitz was opened to the public in June 2001. Currently the municipality is negotiating for the purchasing of an old, listed engine garage. Simultaneously negotiations about the development of the "Urban pole" are under way, which is next to the district park Reudnitz in the West. The planning process for the rail "Angercrottendorfer Bahnschiene", which borders on the district park in the east, is also under way, whereas the third section connection to the people's grove, "Volkshain Stünz", will be realized during the next 5 to 10 years.

In the district park itself, there are different kinds of playgrounds and sports fields, for example a beach-volleyball-court, a streetball-court, some table tennis tables, a climbing tree and some slides. A climbing wall is just finished, right in time at the beginning of summer holidays 2002. These facilities are well used. There are complaints about the noise caused by streetball. The allotments are actually promoted. Damage due to vandalism is regularly reported.

Reason for selection as an example in the URGE-Project

The district park was selected to be an URGE-case study site, because:

• it is situated in a densely populated part of the town, where there is a shortage of green spaces
• the district park has been recently completed and the other sectors of the whole project are still under planning preparation
• it is part of a new connection from the city into the boroughs
• of the new management method, the commonly used allotments

It is supposed to be a best case, because the city council won the II European Prize for Urban Public Space granted by the Centre de Cultura Contemporânia de Barcelona (CCCB) in June 2002 for this site.