Max-Becker-Areal, Cologne

Particular attention was paid to preserving the existing vegetation as far as possible and expanding the existing trees as a defining element of the design by planting new ones.

The neighbourhood park with public play and sports areas for children and youths links the ‘Gleisgrundstück’ park to the north-west, with a focus on ball games, roller sports and climbing, and the existing green space to the south with its dense stock of mature trees. Furthermore, small children’s play areas are located in selected inner courtyards.

The new greenery runs through the entire area as a biodiversity corridor like a ‘green finger’ and forms the counterpart to the climate axis, which, in addition to the shuttle service, also offers space for pedestrians and cyclists parallel to the surrounding green axis on both sides. In addition, green thoroughfares are planned, for example to Alsdorfer Strasse and beyond, linking the Max Becker site to its surroundings. The partially patchy street greening on Maarweg and along Widdersdorfer Straße is to be supplemented and optimised in order to face challenges arising from climate change.