Lettenareal
History of a popular park in the heart of Zürich, Switzerland
| Name | Lettenareal | |
| Place | Zürich | |
| Country | Switzerland | |
| Topic | Parks | |
| Author(s) | Louis Wenger | |
| Completion | 2005 | |
| Client | Grün Stadt Zürich | |
| Project costs | 1.50Mio. CHF. | |
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| <googlemap version="0.9" lat="47.384694" lon="8.536892" type="satellite" zoom="15" width="300" height="250" selector="no" controls="small">
47.3842, 8.537149 </googlemap> | ||
Rationale: Why is this case study interesting?
This area is a good example of how very different needs (social, environmental, and economics) can be satisfied in one really busy and crowded place. It shows how new elements can be carefully added to existing structures to improve the place without changing its character.
Author's perspective
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Landscape and/or urban context
- Biogeography, cultural features, overall character, history and dynamics
The Lettenareal is situated on the right of the river Limmat at the foot of a hill. Because the terrain is very steep an exposed to the south, it was used to grow wine for a long time. At the end of the 19th century part of the hill was removed, to build a railway track. At nearly the same time a dam was built to use the river force for the first electrical power station of Zürich. These measures formed the area at an early stage and the terrain has reminded like this until today.
Cultural/social/political context
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Illustration: Bullet points, image, background notes
History
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Spatial analysis of area/project/plan
- What are the main structural features?
- How has it been shaped? Were there any critical decisions?
Illustration: Map/diagram/sketches photos and background notes
Core questions working group open spaces
How does the design of an open space contribute to a run down neighbourhood?
A useless/run down open space can have effects to a big area. In the case of the Lettenareal it effected the whole adjacent quarter, and even the reputation of the town. The cases with the Needelpark and the Lettenpark are worst case sceneries but they happen.
These cases show that one of the real important pre-conditions is the security of open spaces, and that visitors feel safe. Most people feel safe when the place is well visited, and to be so the space has to be attractive. Attractiveness can best be produced with a good and adequate range for regeneration possibilities. What to offer depends on the users respectively.
How are open spaces linked to the adjacent areas?
(e.g. neighbourhoods, city centre, river)
How are open spaces used?
(e.g. which groups meet there, which functions does an open space fulfil)
Which elements make an open space successful and attractive?
How can the historical background of an open space be shown to the public?
Analysis of program/function
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- How have they been expressed or incorporated?
Illustration: Map/diagram/sketches photos and background notes
Analysis of design/planning process
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- Were there any important consultations/collaborations?
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Analysis of use/users
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- Is the use changing? Are there any issues?
Illustration: Map/diagram/sketches photos and background notes
Future development directions
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- Are there any future goals?
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Peer reviews or critique
- Has the area/ project/plan been reviewed by academic or professional reviewers?
- What were their main evaluations?
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Points of success and limitations
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Illustration: Summary table
What can be generalized from this case study?
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Short statement plus background notes
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References
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