"We want to create a green space with climate-adapted plant species on Stiftsplatz to make an important contribution to combating the heat generated in the city center," says Mayor Katja Dörner. "By providing shade, tree planting helps to improve the quality of life, especially during hot spells. In line with the sponge city concept, we will use valuable water for irrigation and optimal plant development with a rainwater management system."
The plans by scape Landschaftsarchitekten, which emerged as the winner of a workshop process in 2022, are characterized by differentiated vegetation consisting of bands of perennials, newly planted flowering trees, lawns and meadows. The existing, characteristic trees will be preserved and given better conditions by increasing the root space. Small, multifunctional entree areas will be created at both ends of Stiftsplatz, with the existing Christusbrunnen fountain to the west and the bicycle parking garage built in early 2024 to the east.
Barrier-free design
The square will be barrier-free throughout and important road crossings and path connections will be marked out with guide strips for the blind. Its center will form a spacious green area as the center of the urban space, which will have a play island with climbing poles. Other play facilities planned include hammocks and a slackline. The plans for the irrigation and drainage of the large vegetation area using rainwater from the adjacent buildings to the north are particularly impressive.
The rainwater management includes infiltration in troughs in the planting areas, tree pit renovation and the creation of a tree trench. Rainwater from the roofs of the adjoining buildings to the north is channelled into an underground cistern and fed to the green space by means of an underground drip irrigation system.
The high degree of building material recycling in particular was highlighted very positively by the jury in 2022, as the existing paving stones are to be recycled and thus also create a design link to the collegiate church. The square around the Christusbrunnen fountain is to be particularly emphasized by the reuse of the high-quality basalt and marble paving.
Subsidies
The measure is being financed via two funding sources. The program of the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (adaptation of urban and rural areas to climate change) supports the building blocks of the blue-green infrastructure with a funding rate of 85%, which is covered by federal funds. Urban development funding supports the parts of the planning not covered by the BBSR program with a quota of 80 percent. With a construction sum of 2.26 million euros, 1.36 million euros will be funded via the BBSR program and 900,000 euros via urban development funding.