Beteiligungsplattform für partizipative und strategische Stadtplanung.
I. Genesis
Die Stadtvision Basel 2050 ist ein ambitionierter Stadtentwicklungsplan, der Basel zu einer nachhaltigeren, inklusiveren und zukunftsorientierten Stadt machen soll. Er unterstreicht das Engagement der Stadt für ihre Bürgerinnen und Bürger und ihre Zukunft und zielt darauf ab, die Stadt aktiv mitzugestalten. Dieses visionäre Projekt wurzelt im Streben nach nachhaltiger Stadtentwicklung und dem Wunsch nach einem lebendigen, inklusiven und zukunftsorientierten Stadtumfeld. Es beweist das Engagement der Stadt, ihre Bürgerinnen und Bürger in den Planungsprozess einzubinden und eine bessere, lebenswertere Zukunft zu gestalten.
Auf Grundlage der Davoser Erklärung der Kulturministerkonferenz 2018 verabschiedete der Bundesrat 2020 die Baukulturstrategie. Der Aktionsplan sieht unter anderem die Förderung eines hohen Niveaus an Baukultur, die Vergabe von Baukulturpreisen, die Förderung des Baukulturdiskurses und die Förderung der Baukulturausbildung vor.
Seit 2018 reflektiert das Departement Städtebau & Architektur in Zusammenarbeit mit der Stadtentwicklung des Kantons Basel-Stadt im Rahmen des Forums „Städtebau Basel 2050“ in verschiedenen Formaten über die Baukultur und befasst sich mit Zukunftsfragen. Dieses Forum, insbesondere seine „Dialogtage“, ist als Teil dieser Strategie zu verstehen, die Baukultur der Stadt zu vermitteln und zu verhandeln.
Die in Basel brachliegenden Industrieflächen umfassen insgesamt 113 Hektar, was 5 % der Kantonsfläche entspricht. Hierfür ist eine weitreichende Stadtplanung erforderlich, die Verbindungen zwischen den einzelnen Gebieten herstellt und Kohärenz und Vernetzung schafft. Basel 2050 hat daher eine begleitende städtebauliche Unterstützungsgruppe mit zahlreichen lokalen Akteuren eingerichtet, um die Einflussfaktoren auf die Stadtentwicklung Basels zu analysieren.
Das Forum wurde daraufhin gemeinsam entwickelt, um die bisherigen städtebaulichen Überlegungen in Form einer Übersichtsausstellung zu präsentieren und zur Diskussion zu stellen (Podiumsdiskussionen). Es etablierte sich schnell als offene Plattform, in deren Mittelpunkt der Ideenaustausch steht.
Ziel von Basel 2050 ist es auch, Prozesse mit unvorhersehbaren Ergebnissen einer kritischen Prüfung zu unterziehen, die Entwicklung der Stadt als Ganzes im Auge zu behalten und letztendlich aus anderen Transformationen im urbanen Raum zu lernen.
II. Auslöser
Die Stadt Basel war schon immer ein Zentrum für Kultur, Handel und Innovation. Im Laufe der Jahre hat sie sich weiterentwickelt und ist gewachsen, angepasst an die sich wandelnden Bedürfnisse ihrer Bevölkerung. Basel ist bekannt für seine kulturelle Vielfalt, seine starke Wirtschaft und seine Bedeutung als wichtiger Standort der pharmazeutischen und chemischen Industrie.
Mit der fortschreitenden Entwicklung Basels sah sich die Stadt den Herausforderungen der Urbanisierung, der Nachhaltigkeit und der Inklusion gegenüber. Rasantes Wachstum, Infrastrukturentwicklung und demografische Veränderungen machten eine umfassende Stadtvision erforderlich, die den Wandel der Stadt leiten sollte.
Aktuelle Prognosen gehen davon aus, dass die Bevölkerung der Stadt bis zum Jahr 2035 auf 220.000 Menschen anwachsen wird (gegenüber 190.000 im Jahr 2019). Es besteht ein dringender Bedarf an nachhaltigen Lösungen für neue Lebens- und Arbeitsformen, die nachhaltige Nutzung von Ressourcen, Klimaschutz und Klimaanpassung, Biodiversität, Mobilität und Migrationsfragen.
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)
Stadtbau 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
Anhang II. Interessengruppen
- Departement für Stadtplanung und Architektur des Kantons Basel-Stadt
- Departement für Bau und Verkehr des Kantons Basel-Stadt
In Zusammenarbeit mit
- Departement für kantonale und städtebauliche Entwicklung des Kantons Basel-Stadt
- Departement des Präsidiums des Kantons Basel-Stadt
- Immobilien Basel-Stadt
- Departement Finanzen des Kantons Basel-Stadt
Moderation von Dialogtagen und -prozessen
- S AM Schweizerisches Museum für Architektur
- Kühne Wicki Future Stuff
Dialogpartner
- Jugendrat und Jugendparlament des Kantons Basel-Stadt
- Jugendrat des Kantons Basel-Landschaft
- Jugendrat Lörrach, Deutschland
- Bezirkssekretariate Kleinbasel und Basel-West, Gundeldinger-Koordination
- AGGLOBASEL
- BSA Verband der Schweizer Architekten
- BSLA Verband der Schweizer Landschaftsarchitekten
- Christoph Merian Stiftung
- FHNW Institut für Architektur
- Kühne Wicki Future Stuff
- SIA Schweizerische Gesellschaft der Ingenieure und Architekten
- Kanton Basel-Landschaft: BUD Amt für Raumplanung, BUD Bauamt
- Kanton Basel-Stadt: BVD Mobilität, BVD Stadtplanung & Architektur, BVD Stadtgartenbau, ED Berufsbildung Sekundarschulen, FD Immobilien Basel-Stadt, PD Kantonale und Stadtentwicklung
Präsentationspartner
- Christoph-Merian-Stiftung, Basler Personenschifffahrt, kHaus, Theater Basel
Schirmherrschaft
- Bundesamt für Kultur
