Kirnberger Platz

Most satellite towns were designed on the drawing board. However, the neighbourhoods do not always meet the needs of their residents. Kirnberger Platz is a good example. Planned by well-meaning urban planners in the early 1970s as a neighbourhood meeting point, it was never really accepted by the residents. The square did not invite people to linger, they kept saying. The difficult-to-see passages and poor lighting also meant that many Eberstadt residents avoided the square.

In 2009, it was decided to remodel the square as part of the "Socially Integrative City" programme and a design competition was launched. The results of the planning workshop were implemented by bauverein AG. The aim was to improve safety and the quality of the area. In the end, a design by Frankfurt architects raumwerk won the competition. The jury, consisting of representatives of bauverein AG, the Eberstadt neighbourhood association and representatives of social institutions from Eberstadt, was particularly impressed by the proposal to set up an office on the ground floor of Kirnberger Strasse 13.

In spring 2011, the time had come: the square was divided into several, visually clearly demarcated areas, a separate play area with rubber surfacing was installed and benches were placed in the rest area. As if that wasn't enough, the surrounding building entrances were redesigned, new letterboxes were installed, the passageway that was perceived as a "scary space" and "dark corner" was closed and the lighting was improved. Social management and a caretaker from bauverein AG as well as the neighbourhood police moved into the ground floor. Both not only contribute to an increased sense of security, but also improve the service. Social City funds were also used to remodel the square.

Photos: © Frank Seifert, www.frank-seifert.com