The expansion of the green spaces by removing a total of 1,300 square meters of paved area and planting climate-adapted species will make a valuable contribution to combating heat build-up in the city centre. The additional tree planting helps to improve the quality of life, especially during hot spells, by providing shade.

A fountain field and a bench with a water feature provide cooling, while drinking fountains ensure a supply of water for visitors. The use of light-colored materials for the path surface prevents the paved areas from overheating, even in the summer months.

The planned cycle path and the reduction in motorized private transport contribute to the mobility transition and enable a low-emission recreational area on the banks of the Rhine.

The square in the Lenné-Parterre area will be retained and further strengthened by a design. The existing high yew hedge, which separates the gardens from the street, will be replaced by a low yew hedge. The already established access from the riverbank into the city garden towards the university and the city centre will be emphasized by extending the promenade pavement to the stairway to Alter Zoll. New green spaces are to be integrated along the walls of the Alter Zoll and the Stadtgarten, drainage troughs created and new bicycle parking facilities arranged.

Generous green islands with the existing trees will characterize the section at the level of Vogtsgasse. The pavilion with beer garden and restaurant from the 1950s, which also houses a public toilet, is integrated into the design. In future, the terrace of the outdoor restaurant will be accessible from the riverside via steps; there will be barrier-free access to the terrace area from the sides.

Adjacent to the north, under a large existing tree that provides shade in summer, a multifunctional children's play area is to be created under the motto "Children's Rights Square" - with a wide range of playful activities for training various motor skills, such as a small balancing course, various climbing and hanging elements and a hammock. The plastic surface can also be modeled with hills of different heights and can be played on in a variety of ways. Great importance was attached to barrier-free access to all elements in the design. A board with rotating signs provides information about the 54 articles on children's rights. The playground is surrounded by a multifunctional seating wall.

A drinking fountain is planned near the children's play area. As the promenade will be widened, the riverbank area in this section can also be used for events. Numerous additional bicycle parking facilities will also be provided.

Polygonal green spaces with a variety of perennial plantings of different sizes are intended to make a stronger reference to the basic forms of the opera house building from the 1960s. The existing section of the natural stone wall, which was renovated in 2020 and separates the riverbank area into two areas at different heights, will be preserved in the southern area and integrated into the green spaces.

On the balcony enclosed by the wall, a seating sculpture with water elements will be arranged under the imposing treetops as a special place to spend time. Further north, the unrenovated section of the wall will be demolished to create a direct link between the city center via the opera staircase and the riverbank. A polygonal water square with fountains is to be created at this point. A seating wall with a direct view of the Rhine forms the edge of the water feature towards the bank. Another drinking fountain is also to be installed near the water feature. The existing trees will be integrated into the design. It will also be possible to use the central square for events in this section. In addition to the seating walls, wooden benches will be installed in this area, offering a view of the Rhine and the Siebengebirge mountains

The section is characterized by the avenue with old lime trees. This will be completely preserved. The areas under the trees are to be planted with greenery. The existing height difference to the bank will be enclosed by a seating wall. The existing memorial to the old synagogue will be preserved and integrated into the design. An information board will provide information about the background to this historical site.

Additional bicycle parking facilities will be installed under the Kennedy Bridge. The paved area in the area of the jetty of the fire department ship will be retained and forms the northern end of the first construction phase.

A 4.5-metre-wide cycle lane will be created between Altem Zoll and Rheingasse. In addition to bicycle traffic, local residents, coaches and delivery and emergency traffic will be able to use the road in a south-north direction. Stopping areas for coaches and deliveries will be located on the Brassertufer on the side of the road facing the Rhine. This will ensure direct access to the jetties without having to cross the cycle lane.

The crossing area at Rheingasse will be significantly reduced in size, as the area for motor vehicle traffic will be reduced to one lane. A separate, two-way cycle path will ensure that cyclists coming from Rheingasse can safely turn onto the cycle lane in both directions. The grassed central reservation in the northern area of the junction, with a central island at the crosswalk, allows for a safe parking area for cyclists turning from the cycle lane into Rheingasse. Pedestrian traffic is connected to the riverbank via zebra strips located outside the intersection.

The section between Josefstraße and Rheingasse will remain open to southbound motor vehicles. At both the Josefstraße and Rheingasse junctions, the cycle lane leads into a four-metre-wide two-way cycle path, which is separated from the motor vehicle lane by a green central reservation (so-called "protected bike lane"). The one-way street to the south, which can be used by motor vehicles, provides access to the opera garage and deliveries to the opera canteen. A bus stop for coaches and delivery traffic is planned at the opera house. There will be crosswalks for pedestrians to cross the road and cycle path.

The entire cycle lane will have an asphalt surface with red markings around the edges in accordance with Bonn standards. The surface of the dark asphalt pavement is to be lightened with a natural stone material in order to minimize heating.

Numerous wishes expressed by citizens in various participation formats over the past few months have been incorporated into the planning. For example, the city offered various tours and online participation for adults and children, as well as an on-site event specifically for children and young people on the "Children's Rights Square".

The total costs for the first construction phase amount to around 10 million euros. The measure is 80 percent subsidized as part of urban development funding. Funding of 1.2 million euros was generated for the construction of the cycle path from the local mobility program of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The pure construction costs are estimated at 7.9 million euros.

The redesign of the banks of the Rhine is a central project of the Innere Stadt master plan and has been applied for together with more than ten other urban development measures for the funding period from 2021 to 2025. Design planning for the second construction phase between Rosental and Josefstrasse will begin at the start of 2024; construction is scheduled to start here in fall 2025. Implementation of the third construction phase between Altem Zoll and Zweiter Fährgasse is expected to begin in 2027.

The city council has published further information about the project on its website  at www.bonn.de/masterplan-rheinufer (opens in a new tab).