Naturpark Südgelände
conversion of traffic area in Berlin, Germany
| Name | Naturpark Südgelände | |
| Place | Berlin | |
| Country | Germany | |
| Topic | conservation area | |
| Author(s) | Salome Gohl | |
| Completion | 2000 | |
| Client | Grün Berlin Park und Garten GmbH | |
| Project costs | Please enter the costs (if known) | |
| File:Naturpark Südgelände.jpg | ||
| <googlemap version="0.9" lat="52.46273" lon="13.355856" zoom="15" width="300" height="250">
52.459331, 13.357846, naturpark südgelände </googlemap> | ||
Rationale: Why is this case study interesting?
This project has found a way to combine various demands as recreation, environemental aspects, a low budget with an attractive and simple design.
Due to its original function as a railway station, its interesting to see, how they deal with historic tracks and use them to create a new identity.
Author's perspective
- What theoretical or professional perspective do you bring to the case study?
Landscape and/or urban context
Naturpark Südgelände consists an nature conservation area, a small exibition hall, openair artwork, leftovers (e.g. Water twoer) and a circular path. It is located between two railwaytracks and was once used as a marschalling yard. Therefore its flat and of a narrow and long shape. Its entrace lies a little bit hidden behind the station and doesn't give the impression of a park on first sight. On the oposite side of the railwaytrack there is Hans-Baluscheck-Park, wich is intensly used by leisure activities as inline skating, jogging etc. That builds a strong contrast to the usage of the Naturpark but creates a dens network of open space, which covers a lot of diffrent needs, speeds and interests.
Illustration: Map; sketches; short descriptive analyses
Cultural/social/political context
The original idea comes from a citizens' initiative, today still active in form of guided tours and events. Responsible for the project planning and the maintenance is Grün Berlin Park und Garten GmbH, whos proprietor is Land Berlin. The project has been generously supported by Allianz Umweltstiftung.
Illustration:
Bullet points, image, background notes
History
Originally the place was used by railway companies mainly as marschalling yard. Up from 1952 parts were put out of service. Ecological sucsession begun. In the 70 the area was a possible site for a big marschalling yard Berlin Süd. This enterprise faild as a result of the actions of a citizens' initiative.There aim was to protect the established nature and make it accessable for the public. The parc was opend to the public as an external project of the Expo 2000 Hannover after a long planing time.
Illustration: Table or time line
Spatial analysis of area/project/plan
The still busy railway tracks in the East and West build a clear border and give the park a long and narrow shape. This supports the caractaristic of the tracks. The pahts are leading only in one direction to only two entries. There are hardly any crosslinks. Additonally the substantiation, mainly corten steel, makes a link to the industrial background. Close to the station Priesterweg the Südgelände is well accessed and stays in close connection with the Hans-Baluschek-Park and the Insulaner.
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?
The Naturpark Südgelände is located in a not very attractive or welll situated area of Berlin but the neigbourhood is not underserved with open space. The motivation to build this park lies more in an ecological thought than in social problems. But the original idea comes from a citizens' initiative, today they are still active in form of guided tours and events. This supports the identification of the citizens.
How are open spaces linked to the adjacent areas?
(e.g. neighbourhoods, city centre, river) The park is well accessed due to the s-bahn station Priesterweg, a carparc, busstation and good bicycle connections. But the traffic infrastructure is also a border and isolates the park from its neigbourhood. (only two entrances)
How are open spaces used?
(e.g. which groups meet there, which functions does an open space fulfil)
The areal is intensly used, mainly by promenader, nature lovers and visitors of the temporary cultural events. The park is designed for quiet usages and provides hardly any specific infrastructure. It is kind of completion to the Hans-Baluschek-Park on the oposite side of the railwaytracks wich promotes more sport activities.
Which elements make an open space successful and attractive?
A general answer is difficult and often very personal. In this case for me the strong reference to the railway and historic elements such as the watertower are central for the park und well staged. They make the place recognisale and unique. The mixture between nature and culture combined with an attractive design covers a lot of intrests and is a good base for a sustainable development. Public relations such as a good press and other popular platforms as the Expo in Hannover was, are also responsible for the familiarity and success of this park.
How can the historical background of an open space be shown to the public?
Analysis of program/function
- What are the main functional characteristics?
- How have they been expressed or incorporated?
Illustration: Map/diagram/sketches photos and background notes
Analysis of design/planning process
- How was the area/project/plan formulated and implemented?
- Were there any important consultations/collaborations?
Illustration: Map/diagram/sketches photos and background notes
Analysis of use/users
- How is the area/project/plan used and by whom?
- Is the use changing? Are there any issues?
Illustration: Map/diagram/sketches photos and background notes
Future development directions
- How is the area/project/plan evolving?
- Are there any future goals?
Illustration: Map/diagram/sketches photos and background notes
Peer reviews or critique
- Has the area/ project/plan been reviewed by academic or professional reviewers?
- What were their main evaluations?
Pleas add references, quotes...
Points of success and limitations
- What do you see as the main points of success and limitations of the area/project/plan?
Illustration: Summary table
What can be generalized from this case study?
- Are there any important theoretical insights?
Short statement plus background notes
Which research questions does it generate?
Short statement plus background notes
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References
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