Involvement platform for participatory and strategic city planning.
I. Genesis
Urban Vision Basel 2050 is a bold urban policy plan to make Basel a more sustainable, inclusive, and forward-thinking city. It’s a testament to the city’s commitment to its citizens and its future, aiming at reshaping the future of the city. This visionary project has its roots in the pursuit of sustainable urban development and the desire to create a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-thinking urban environment. The project is a testament to the city’s commitment to engage its citizens in the planning process and to envision a brighter, more livable future.
Based on the Davos Declaration of the 2018 Conference of Culture Ministers, the Federal Council adopted the Building Culture Strategy in 2020. Among other things, the Action Plan for Measures proclaims the promotion of a high level of building culture, building culture awards, promoting building culture discourse, promoting building culture education, etc.
Since 2018, the Department of Urban Design & Architecture, in cooperation with Urban Development of the Canton of Basel-Stadt, has been reflecting on building culture and dealing with future issues in various formats under the umbrella of the Forum “Städtebau (Urban Design) Basel 2050″. This Forum, in particular its “Dialogue Days”, is to be seen as part of this strategy to convey and negotiate the city’s building culture.
Basel’s industrial sites that are becoming vacant are 113 hectares in total, which corresponds to 5% of the canton’s territory. For this, a far-reaching urban planning perspective is required that establishes links between the individual areas and creates coherencies and connections. Basel 2050 has therefore set up an accompanying urban planning support group, consisting of a myriad of local stakeholders, to look at the impact forces in Basel’s urban development.
The Forum was then jointly developed with the aim of presenting the urban planning considerations to date in the form of an overview exhibition and bringing them up for discussion (panel discussions). The Forum was quickly established as an open platform, at the center of which is the exchange of ideas.
The aim of Basel 2050 is also to expose processes with unpredictable results to critical examination, to keep an eye on the development of the city as a whole, and ultimately to learn from other transformations in the urban area.
II. Triggers
The city of Basel has always been a hub for culture, commerce, and innovation. Over the years, Basel has evolved and grown, adapting to the changing needs of its population. The city is known for its cultural diversity, strong economy, and its position as a key center for the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.
As Basel continued to develop, the city faced the challenges of urbanization, sustainability, and inclusivity. Rapid growth, infrastructure development, and demographic changes prompted the need for a comprehensive urban vision that could guide the city’s transformation.
Current forecasts estimate the city’s population to grow to 220,000 people (from 190,000 in 2019) by the year 2035. There is an urgent need for sustainable solutions for new forms of living and working, sustainable use of resources, climate protection and climate adaptation, biodiversity, mobility, and migration issues.
The rapid urban growth in Basel necessitates the construction and maintenance of infrastructure, including transportation networks, utilities, and public services. Ensuring that this infrastructure is sustainable, resilient, and well-maintained is a significant challenge.
As the population grows, waste management becomes a critical concern. Proper disposal, recycling, and reducing wastegeneration are essential to maintain a clean and sustainable environment.
Basel’s role as a transportation hub brings both economic benefits and infrastructure challenges. The city must address issues related to traffic congestion and maintain the efficiency work of tri-national transportation connection systems.
Urbanization and former industrial development have put pressure on the region’s natural resources and ecosystems. Basel is confronted with climate change, the resource and biodiversity crisis, migration and new forms of living and working.
As a city located on the banks of the Rhine River, Basel faces an ongoing flood risk. Effective flood control measures and disaster preparedness are essential to protect the city from flooding events. Increasing temperatures due to climate change can lead to more frequent and severe heat waves. These events can pose health risks to the population.
Basel is situated in the tri-national area where Switzerland, France, and Germany meet. Environmental challenges in this region can often be of a transboundary nature, including air and water quality.
Inadequate urban planning systems that address the different administrative units in the tri-national area, innovative participatory formats, as well as complex societal challenges create a need for new urban instruments and platforms.
III. Transformational context
Thinking of Solutions to Address the Challenges:
The city of Basel approached the challenges it faced by recognising the need for a more holistic and inclusive approach to urban development. It identified the limitations of conventional urban planning instruments, especially in dealing with former industrial and infrastructure sites. This recognition led to the conception of Urban Vision Basel 2050. The city understood that involving the local community, leveraging local knowledge and expertise, and preserving cultural heritage were essential elements in addressing these challenges effectively.
The project was initiated through a collaborative effort between various stakeholders, including local government authorities, urban planners, and community members. The focus was not just on addressing immediate issues but on co-creating a vision for Basel’s future that aligned with the values and aspirations of its residents. This “island character” of individual development plans was recognised and acknowledged, and the project aimed to bridge these gaps.
How the Challenges are Being Addressed:
The challenges are being addressed through a multifaceted and people-centered approach. The involvement platform, including citizen engagement, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and data-driven decision-making, ensures that the concerns and ideas of residents are at the forefront of planning. The Dialogue Days provide residents with a platform to share their unique experiences, helping to integrate their perspectives into the decision-making process. This approach makes urban planning more inclusive and community-oriented.
Basel 2050, as a holistic urban policy, focuses on sustainability by incorporating green spaces, efficient transportation systems, and energy-efficient buildings into the city’s neighborhoods. This emphasis on sustainable development addresses environmental challenges and contributes to creating more livable spaces for residents.
Furthermore, the project acknowledges the importance of preserving the city’s cultural heritage. Basel 2050 seeks to maintain the historic character of neighborhoods while integrating contemporary elements, ensuring that the development respects and celebrates each neighborhood’s unique identity and history.
Approaches for Addressing Future Challenges:
To address future challenges, Basel 2050 employs an informal and experimental approach, reflecting on individual processes and negotiating complex action forces. The goal is to outline a long-term development plan for the city that evolves with changing needs and circumstances. The accompanying group plays a pivotal role in presenting and critically reflecting on urban developments and projects, fostering a more comprehensive view of the city as a whole.
As part of its long-term strategy, Basel 2050 aims to continue evolving its urban planning by actively involving residents and stakeholders in ongoing dialogues and planning processes. This ensures that the project remains flexible, adaptive, and responsive to the ever-changing challenges and opportunities presented by the city’s growth and development.
Basel 2050 addresses both current and future challenges through inclusive, sustainable, and adaptable planning processes that prioritize the active involvement of the community and embrace the preservation of cultural heritage. This forward-thinking approach positions Basel to meet its future challenges with resilience and innovation.
IV. Action Journey
At the heart of Urban Vision Basel 2050 is an innovative involvement platform designed to facilitate participatory and strategic city planning. This platform leverages technology, community engagement, and expert input to ensure that the voices of residents, businesses, and organizations are heard.
Urban Vision Basel 2050 exemplifies a comprehensive and sustainable approach to urban development. By integrating disaster resilience, climate considerations, and good environmental governance while leveraging innovative tools, the city is actively working toward a more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive future.
Digital Innovation Tools. The Dialogue Days is an essential part of the Basel Urban Vision 2050 that emphasizes public involvement and engagement. It serves to actively involve the community in the development process and gather their insights, ideas, and concerns.
Key elements of the involvement Dialogue Days platform include:
- Citizen Engagement: Through surveys, public meetings, and digital platforms, residents are encouraged to share their ideas, concerns, and dreams for the future of Basel. Their feedback forms the foundation of the urban vision.
- Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: The platform brings together a diverse range of stakeholders, including urban planners, environmental experts, architects, and representatives from various industries. This collaboration ensures a holistic and well-informed approach to city planning.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Collected during the discussion, data analytics help in understanding current urban challenges, demographic trends, and environmental considerations. This data is used to create evidence-based policies and strategies.
- Transparency and Accountability: Basel Vision is committed to transparency in the decision-making process and keeping the public informed about the progress and outcomes of the urban vision.
During the Dialogue Days, a series of interactive workshops, discussion platforms, and exhibitions are organized, creating opportunities for residents, local businesses, experts, and other stakeholders to come together and exchange their perspectives. This participatory approach ensures that the neighborhoods reflect the desires and values of the community, fostering a sense of ownership and belonging among residents. By actively involving residents in the decision-making process, the project intends to strengthen social cohesion and create a shared vision for the future of Basel. The aim is to foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration, ensuring that the development plans align with the needs and aspirations of the community. Here, key topics and challenges related to urban development, such as sustainability, mobility, social inclusion, and cultural heritage, are being addressed.
The Dialogue Days do not lead to decisions. The findings of the discussions are published in the conclusion, which, as “Position”, provides an essential basis for further urban development.
As an example, positions defined from Dialogue Day 2022 include, among others:
- Basel needs additional identities!
- Public space belongs to everyone!
- Basel cooperates with its neighbors!
- Without participation, there is no lively city!
- Building in Basel means continuing to build!
- The development areas are Basel´s city laboratories!
Good Environmental Governance. Basel 2050 is deeply rooted in sustainable urban development principles. Policies and actions focus on promoting energy-efficient buildings, green spaces, and sustainable transportation systems. Basel has implemented policies and standards for green buildings, encouraging energy-efficient and sustainable construction practices. Basel cooperates with neighboring regions and nations to address transboundary environmental and infrastructure challenges, fostering regional collaboration. Basel has introduced stringent environmental regulations aimed at curbing pollution, protecting natural resources, and promoting environmentally responsible practices across industries. In Basel, environmental impact assessments are a prerequisite for development projects. These assessments evaluate the potential environmental consequences of such projects and guide decision-making. Public Space Management provides Regulations and initiatives to ensure that public spaces are accessible to all residents, promoting social inclusion and community engagement. Basel promotes sustainable mobility through policies and initiatives, such as public transportation improvements and bike-friendly infrastructure. Cultural Heritage Policies and initiatives ensure the prevention and use of cultural heritage that aims to preserve and integrate cultural heritage into urban development, celebrating the city’s history.
Security and Integrating Disaster Resilience: Basel has implemented a comprehensive flood control infrastructure, including dams, levees, and flood barriers, aimed at protecting the city from the risks of flooding associated with the nearby Rhine River. These measures have been continually improved and maintained. The city has developed and regularly updates disaster preparedness plans. These plans cover a range of potential disasters, including floods, heat waves, and other extreme weather events, ensuring that the city is well-prepared to respond effectively.
V. Future
As Basel progresses towards Urban Vision 2050, it is poised to implement a forward-thinking set of policies, regulations, actions, and activities to address pressing security considerations while focusing on integrating disaster resilience, climate considerations, good environmental governance, and innovative tools. These future initiatives are designed to shape the city’s development in a sustainable and secure manner.
Resilience Infrastructure Development: Basel emphasizes the creation of green infrastructure, including parks, urban forests, and green roofs, to enhance climate resilience, mitigate heat island effects, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Future policies will promote sustainable transportation, including the expansion of public transportation, car and bike-sharing programs, and the development of pedestrian-friendly zones to reduce reliance on private vehicles and combat air pollution. Basel actively encourages the adoption of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, to reduce the city’s carbon footprint and increase energy sustainability.
Good Environmental Governance: Secure Environmental Governance Considerations: Basel embraces the circular economy concept, promoting waste reduction, recycling, and sustainable consumption practices to reduce the ecological footprint of the city. Urban planning will incorporate biodiversity considerations, aiming to restore and protect natural habitats within the city, contributing to ecological diversity and resilience.
Smart City Solutions and Innovative Digital Platforms: Basel will utilize advanced digital tools for urban planning, offering 3D modeling, predictive analytics, and digital simulations for assessing the impact of development projects on climate, disaster resilience, and the environment. The city will continue to implement smart city technologies, Innovative mobile apps and platforms, including IoT sensors for real-time environmental monitoring and smart grid systems to optimize resource usage. Innovative mobile apps and platforms will be used to engage the community in decision-making processes, ensuring residents’ active participation in shaping the city’s future.
The influence of Basel 2050 on the neighborhoods is multi-fold. It promotes a high quality of life. Secondly, it contributes to the social fabric by fostering Firstly, it will enhance the physical infrastructure and urban design, creating attractive and functional spaces in a sense of community, encouraging interaction, and providing spaces for social activities. Lastly, it has economic implications, attracting businesses, investors, and tourists, which can lead to job creation and economic growth in the neighborhoods. The Dialogue Days are being held every year.
These forward-looking policies, regulations, actions, and activities represent Basel’s commitment to creating a more resilient, sustainable, and secure urban environment. Basel Urban Vision 2050 aspires to build a smart and innovative city by addressing disaster resilience, climate considerations, good environmental governance, and embracing innovative tools.
Annex I: Additional Links
Basel-Stadt launches “Basel 2050” Urban Development Forum (nau.ch)
Staedtebau Basel 2050 (bvd.bs.ch)
Staedtebau Basel 2050 (openhouse-basel.org)
https://www.statistik.bs.ch/anlaesse/daten-dialog.html
https://www.immobilienbs.ch/baurechte/
https://www.immobilienbs.ch/media/filer_public/65/ce/65ceed66-acc6-4298-8863-cb073e074500/baurechtsvertrag_broschuere.pdf
https://www.gva.bs.ch/vermessung/topografie-3d-stadtmodell/3d-stadtmodell.html
https://www.iksr.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Dokumente_en/Brochures/FRMP_2015.pdf
Annex II. Stakeholders
- Department of Urban Planning & Architecture of the Canton of Basel-Stadt
- Department of Construction and Transport of the Canton of Basel-Stadt
In cooperation with
- Department of Cantonal and Urban Development of the Canton of Basel-Stadt
- Department of the Presidency of the Canton of Basel-Stadt
- Real Estate Basel-Stadt
- Department of Finance Canton of Basel-Stadt
Facilitation of dialogue days and process
- S AM Swiss Museum of Architecture
- Kühne Wicki Future Stuff
Dialogue partners
- Young Councillor and Youth Parliament of the Canton of Basel-Stadt
- Youth Council of the Canton of Basel-Landschaft
- Youth Council Lörrach, Germany
- District Secretariats Kleinbasel and Basel-West, Gundeldinger Coordination
- AGGLOBASEL
- BSA Association of Swiss Architects
- BSLA Association of Swiss Landscape Architects
- Christoph Merian Foundation
- FHNW Institute of Architecture
- Kühne Wicki Future Stuff
- SIA Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects
- Canton of Basel-Landschaft: BUD Office for Spatial Planning, BUD Building Authority
- Canton of Basel-Stadt: BVD Mobility, BVD Urban Design & Architecture, BVD City Gardening, ED Secondary Schools Vocational Training, FD Real Estate Basel-Stadt, PD Cantonal and Urban Development
Presentation Partners
- Christoph-Merian Foundation, Basler Personenschifffahrt, kHaus, Theater Basel
Patronage
- Federal Office of Culture
