LGS Gießen 2014

The course of the Lahn river and its floodplain – the Lahnaue – within the urban area of Gießen is an important natural and recreational space for the city. Improved walkability and new connections between the city proper and the Lahn allow for a better appreciation of the Lahnaue. Some links lead beyond the Lahnaue into the landscape. The eastern bank of the Lahn will be designed more intensively as an urban shore, while the western side of the Lahn will become a more natural river space, except for the rowing area. In the area around the Sachsenhäuser Bridge, two new buildings opposite one another will create a new entrance to the city centre. The central motif of the transformation of Wieseckauenpark is the discovery of hidden water and the interlocking of both ponds with the park via a looping path. This creates places to linger by the water, links the banks and the park, and yet provides sufficient protection for sensitive shore areas. The transition to the city is marked by a dense activity curve, including expansive playgrounds for young people and children, a boule court and “partner city gardens”.