Use of space, such as visiting the banks of the Elbe, should be made easier and recreational and sporting uses should be made possible. A place for water sports activities should be created in order to transform the function of the existing buildings in the old industrial area into facilities to support water sports activities and to create a system of accompanying footpaths in other parts of the river arm so that purely recreational uses can be created there. Private owners of the recently built facilities will know how to take advantage of the nearby tourist attractions in Wittenberg. Owners of shops, hotels and museums will also benefit from the larger number of tourists attracted by new attractions. The aim is to create a system of visible and easily accessible connections including bridges, underpasses and typical paving between the Elbe and the old town in order to close the gap between the old town and the parts of the city around the river arm.
Current situation
The main road and train lines separate the old town from the rest of the city and the Elbe. The old industrial area is currently occupied by large-scale retail from large chain stores. The river bank is abandoned and completely unused.
After the proposed changes
Access to the river will be made possible in order to be able to use newly created water sports and other sports and leisure activities.
Current situation after the proposed changes
First phase: Clarify the existing connection between the old industrial area and the river bank. Introduce a system of signs, also ensure a simplified arrangement of parking spaces.
Second phase: Create an underpass connection between the old town and the river bank to encourage tourists to use the river floodplains.
Third phase: Build a green bridge over the main road and railway line in order to create a natural and easily recognizable extension of the tourist circuits in the old town towards the river and its recreational and sports facilities.
Existing buildings represent great potential for the space now occupied by large-scale retail. Some of them just need to be rebuilt, but the majority are already in very good condition, only the chaotic infrastructure and other neglected areas need to be changed. The proximity between the river meadow and the old town creates the conditions for the establishment of cultural and sports centers.
Archival source for this design study: Marco Gernt, Logik und Kreativität prägen das Leben. Architektur & Stadtentwicklung. Was braucht die Stadt?, Master of Architecture thesis, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, 10 January 2007, chapter IV.4.31, pp. 51 (studio archive, German). The people credited below contributed to the work. This text describes a design proposal, not a verified completed project.
SOURCE 2006
- Maciek Grelewicz, Poland | Marco Gernt, Germany