Last updated: October 2021
Architect Santiago Calatrava is set to create a grass-topped office block on the plaza in front of Stadelhofen Station in Zurich with public parking for 1000 bicycles on the ground level. The project is expected to provide a good habitat for some species with controlling the seasonal cooling and heating of the building. (Ref 1)
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Nature on buildings (external)
- Green roofs
- Grey infrastructure featuring greens
- Green parking lots
Key challenges
- Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
- Climate change mitigation
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Green space creation and/or management
Focus
Creation of new green areas
Project objectives
The goals are to (a) encourage bicycle use, (b) improve pedestrians' connection to the Stadelhofen Station (c) aesthetics (d) increase urban green space and (e) provide habitat for some species (Ref 2)
Implementation activities
The project is still in the planning stage. The following activities will take place: (a) The five-storied structure was commissioned by Swiss insurer AXA, and will be integrated with the station's public spaces. (b) The 1000 parking spaces on the lower level are an attempt to tackle the overcrowding currently experienced in the plaza. (Ref 2,3)
Climate-focused activities
Climate change mitigation:
- Increase green urban nature for carbon storage (wetlands, tree cover)
- Install vertical or horizontal artificial surfaces that help with carbon storage and cooling
- Invest in public transport/bicycle infrastructure as a means to prevent car use
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity restoration:
- Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
Main beneficiaries
- Citizens or community groups
- Other
Governance
Management set-up
- Led by non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Private sector/corporate actor/company
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
- Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
- Other
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
On behalf of the City of Zurich, AXA is leading the project with the architect Santiago Calatrava (Ref 1)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Yes
(In June 2014, Zurich’s City Council changed 'Zurich City Development Plan' for development regulations on Kreuzbühlstrasse 1, a thoroughfare in the city on which the new property will be built, to allow for the construction of an avant-garde building that would provide bicycle parking for both neighbourhood riders and station users. (Ref 3). Zurich also has a bicycle master plan which was adopted in 2013 (Ref 3).)
Financing
Total cost
More than €4,000,000
Source(s) of funding
- Private Foundation/Trust
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
No
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Lowered local temperature
- Enhanced carbon sequestration
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
- Reduced biodiversity loss
- Increased number of species present
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Education
- Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Type of reported impacts
Expected impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
1. Hauz Zum Falken. Velostation. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 2nd August, 2020.
2. Santiago Calatrava plans Zurich office blocks with 1000 bicycle parking spaces. 2016. De zeen. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 2nd August, 2020.
3. Immobilien (2019) Zurich: Axa submits planning application for Haus zum Falken. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 2nd August, 2020.
4. Plans unveiled for an exciting new building in Zurich. 2016. Le News. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 2nd August, 2020
2. Santiago Calatrava plans Zurich office blocks with 1000 bicycle parking spaces. 2016. De zeen. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 2nd August, 2020.
3. Immobilien (2019) Zurich: Axa submits planning application for Haus zum Falken. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 2nd August, 2020.
4. Plans unveiled for an exciting new building in Zurich. 2016. Le News. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 2nd August, 2020