The award-winning ecological revitalisation of Westerwaldstraße in Cologne-Deutz exemplifies how landscape architecture tackles the complexities of climate change and soil contamination in socially diverse urban areas. Spanning more than two kilometres and designed by Hamburg-based WES LandschaftsArchitektur, the scheme delivers far more than attractive recreation and sports facilities. It weaves together accessible green spaces, pedestrian routes, and gathering places that strengthen community bonds – all while substantially improving the area's microclimate and air quality.

The designers organised the Westerwaldstraße corridor into three distinct zones moving west to east: the Kannebäckersiedlung neighbourhood green, the Festwiese festival meadow at the heart, and the new sports and play areas at Lenzwiese. The ecological impact is substantial. Over 200 newly planted trees, reclaimed fallow land, newly established orchards, and nectar-rich meadows for birds and insects work together to reduce air and noise pollution while significantly enhancing local biodiversity and microclimate. Westerwaldstraße itself forms the green corridor's backbone, with linear plantings expanding into plaza-like nodes that stitch the three zones into a cohesive whole. Throughout the Kannebäckersiedlung, fully accessible routes and a new neighbourhood plaza encourage residents to gather and connect. The Festwiese offers age-appropriate play facilities and a streetball court at its centre. Further east, the Lenzwiese hosts an exercise course, 50-metre running track, obstacle course, and children's playground. The former clay court has been reimagined as a striking 100-metre circular arena, complete with a surrounding Finnbahn running track, lawn, and integrated seating. Across its eight hectares, the green zone offers everything from intimate park benches to a grand public arena – a powerful reminder that thoughtful landscape design elevates the social fabric of a place.

www.wes-la.de

Photography Credits:

Guido Erbring
www.guidoerbring.com
WES Landscape Architecture

(Featured in CUBE Cologne Bonn 04|22)