Water town of Solothurn
Wasserstadt Solothurn is the name of a major urban development project in the Swiss city of Solothurn . The clients are the association sovision espace Solothurn , the city and the canton of Solothurn .
Project overview
The Wasserstadt Solothurn project is mainly about creating an artificial loop of the Aare to the west of the city center and developing new living space in the form of single and multi-family houses. In addition to the high-quality residential properties, public buildings and squares as well as large local recreation areas will also be created.
location
The majority of the project is to be implemented in the area of the old city waste dump in the southwestern part of the municipality of Solothurn adjacent to the Aare. To the west is the cantonal agricultural and protection zone of Witi, which extends between Solothurn, Grenchen and Büren an der Aare . In the east there is a commercial zone that has been accessible via the A5 west bypass since 2008 . In the north there are adjoining residential areas in Solothurn's Weststadt, such as the Sonnenpark district.
numbers
The entire building site of the project has a total area of 375,000 m², 144,000 m² of which are in the area of the former landfill, which was operated from 1935 to 1976 and has been contaminated open land since then.
In addition to 130 buildable plots for individual living, 530 apartments, a hotel, a public, 1 km long promenade, bathing jetties along the promenade, boathouses, some restaurants and commercial areas and a natural island (between the bend of the river and the natural course of the river) are planned. The planners expect 900 new residents for the city of Solothurn.
The client estimates investments of up to CHF 630 million , of which 470 million will be for the construction.
Project situation
The architects Herzog & de Meuron presented the Wasserstadt project for the first time in 2006. In 2009 wasserstadtsolothurn AG was founded with regional and national shareholders who have set themselves the goal of making it a reality. In 2011, the two studies on the value creation and market absorption of the new residential area were published, both of which turned out positive and thus paved the way for the project implementation. On February 29, 2012, the architects presented the new, revised version of the project at Landhaus Solothurn, which was developed together with interested parties. In December 2011, soundings and investigations of the soil began.
criticism
The project is viewed critically by various groups and people. In its response to an interpellation, the government council of the canton of Solothurn expressed itself critical of the project and questioned its feasibility. Hydrological and landscape morphological criticism was voiced by various people. Architects criticize the low utilization and the expansion of the city caused by the project and the associated displacement of natural and agricultural space. The project is also referred to as the “rich ghetto” and its social sustainability is therefore called into question.
Web links
- Website of the Wasserstadt Solothurn project
- Supporters website
- Introduction video
- Website of the critics
Individual evidence
- ↑ There is no commitment from the government to the Wasserstadt , Solothurner Zeitung from March 4, 2015
- ^ Fill up the old river , Solothurner Zeitung, July 25, 2014
- ↑ Will the water town be prevented along with the slope? , Solothurner Zeitung of August 22, 2015
- ^ Block edge instead of Wasserstadt , mezzanine floor from March 28, 2015
- ↑ The vision of the Solothurn water town should come true , report on Swiss radio and television on June 26, 2015