Inner city development

Within the framework of the state initiative "Building Land by the Rail", the city of Bocholt together with the BahnflächenEntwicklungsGesellschaft NRW mbH (BEG NRW) commissioned the BahnStadt agency from Berlin to develop a framework plan.

Essential elements of the framework plan are:

• Identification of potential for residential development
• New footpath connection to the city centre between Aa-Südufer and the railway station
• Car park for commuters, visitors to the city centre and the Lernwerk
• Redesign of the station square

The framework plan forms the basis for further planning.

The listed town hall on the market square, which dates back to the 17th century, houses the registry office with a wedding room on the 1st floor. On the 2nd floor is the historic council hall, which is used for various music and cultural events.

The representative entrance of the registry office on the ground floor is approx. 60 cm above the level of the market square and is therefore not barrier-free accessible. The upper floors were also previously only accessible via the main staircase.

In order to make the foyer barrier-free accessible, a ramp was built in the rear area of the town hall. A glass lift was installed in the centre of the staircase, so that the wedding room and the former council hall are now also accessible without barriers. In addition, the requirements of fire protection were taken into account so that the historic town hall can continue to be used as a wedding and event venue.

Since autumn 2019, the historic town hall can once again be used for wedding ceremonies.

The implementation of the measures was carried out with funds from the urban development promotion of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the federal government.

The Stadtsparkasse Bocholt built on the former Hertie site and moved its main branch from Marktplatz to Neutorplatz. Another commercial building was erected next to it. A new square situation was created in front of the new buildings. In addition, the open spaces facing the Aa were widened. The new buildings made it possible for these areas to be redesigned and the quality of stay increased.

On the square in front of the Stadtsparkasse, a tree field with roof plane trees and a field with grasses were created. The edging of these fields can be used for sitting and lingering at the same time. Along the river Aa, a so-called railing was created, which partially extends over the water areas. In this area, more trees were planted and benches were erected. A footpath has been laid out along the Aa, bordered by grass beds. The footpath leads past a footbridge along the Aa, where further seating has been installed.

The project was completed in April 2021.

Funds from the urban development funding of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the federal government were approved for the measure.

One of the few inner-city green spaces is located on Weberstraße. Until now, this consisted mainly of low, flat shrubbery. In addition, two smaller playgrounds were integrated, which, however, had to be removed in part due to insufficient traffic safety. Since then, the function of the green space has mainly been to provide access to the old people's home.

As part of the Future City 2030+ competition, suggestions and ideas for future use and design were collected at various citizens' events and were incorporated into the planning. These mainly concerned the possibility of moving around and meeting people.

The redesign was completed in 2022 with the help of urban development funding.

Young and old alike will find space and opportunities for play, exercise and rest under the shady trees in the centre of the busy city centre. The design was complemented by the creation of perennial beds and the installation of raised beds, which are maintained in a joint project of the foundation and an adjacent day-care centre. The green space offers a play area with a climbing and balancing course, a group swing and a water play area. A large "Hollywood swing", pedal trainers in front of benches and a seesaw bench mounted on springs are arranged along the surrounding circular path and invite visitors to try them out.

The green space at the intersection between Pollstiege and Nordwall, which is only a little more than one hundred square metres in size, was redesigned in spring 2020. There is an approximately forty-year-old copper beech there, which was underplanted with evergreen shrubs.

With the objective of an intergenerational city centre, the area was made accessible by a small square that opens towards the intersection. Above all, older people with a limited radius of action should be able to make a short stop here. For this purpose, benches with armrests and backrests were integrated into the green space. The existing tree was retained and enclosed in a bed as the centre of the square. The previously existing shrub planting has been replaced by shrubs and perennials. The bicycle parking area at the edge of the square was renewed as part of the project and equipped with modern bicycle racks.