Last updated: October 2021
It is one of the most famous parks in the city. A re-design is offering the opportunity to make use of the full potential of the place and to put it back into the public’s focus – as a place for recreation, a park, a promenade and Zurich’s very own, most central urban park. An urban square was formed, representing generosity and offering space for multiple functions. A gateway from park to courtyard during the daytime, the mirroring water surfaces of the illuminated pools, and the annex’s reflecting façade create the atmosphere of a grotto at night (Ref 1).
Platzspitz Park
© VOGT / Giuseppe Micciché, provided 26/10/2018
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Parks and urban forests
- Pocket parks/neighbourhood green spaces
Key challenges
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity conservation
- Green space creation and/or management
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
Focus
Maintenance and management of urban nature
Project objectives
• Increase urban green space.
• Increase access to visitors.
• Making it attractive to visitors.
• Creating new habitats for some species.
• Creating space for leisure.
• Revive the artificial lakes/pools (Ref 1).
Implementation activities
• With the construction of the new annexe building, the museum’s main entrance will be moved. An urban square will be formed, representing generosity and offering more green space. Cobblestones are inserted into an asphalt surface, being visible like inclusions. The continuous surface visually connects the different open spaces. The existing trees are completed to an avenue. Thus, a shady and atmospheric passage from city to park is created, offering areas for passage, long and short rest with comfortable furniture. The Garden Courtyard, occurring due to the new annexe, is characterized by a minimalistic design. With only few, distinctive elements, like a single tree and two pools, it sets the stage for the park. (Ref 1)
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity conservation:
- Protect and enhance urban habitats
- Create new habitats
Main beneficiaries
- Citizens or community groups
- Marginalized groups: Elderly people
Governance
Management set-up
- Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Local government/municipality
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Co-management/Joint management
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The area belongs to the Zurich Museum authority and the project is being implemented by Eidgenössisches Bundesamt für Bauten und Logistik (Ref 1)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
- Public local authority budget
Type of funding
- Earmarked public budget
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Type of non-financial contribution
- Provision of land
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
- Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Lowered local temperature
- Enhanced carbon sequestration
- Environmental quality
- Improved air quality
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
- Reduced biodiversity loss
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Safety
- Increased perception of safety
- Decreased crime rates
- Cultural heritage and sense of place
- Protection of natural heritage
- Protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure
- Increased sense of place identity, memory and belonging
Type of reported impacts
Achieved 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. Platzspitz reconstruction project. VOGT. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 3rd August, 2020.
2. The Needle Park. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 3rd August, 2020
3. Platzspitz Park. Wikipedia. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 3rd August, 2020.
2. The Needle Park. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 3rd August, 2020
3. Platzspitz Park. Wikipedia. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 3rd August, 2020.