Integrated urban development concept (ISEK)

Measures

The integrated urban development concept is currently being revised. Once it has been finalised, you will find the latest information and projects here.

Redesign of Gasthausplatz

The Gasthausplatz is to be remodelled. To improve the quality of the area, only delivery traffic will drive around the Gasthausplatz in future. The Gasthausplatz will no longer be used as a car park. The weekly market will also be relocated, creating new opportunities for entertainment. The concept envisages the creation of green catering containers in the south-west and north-east of the square. In addition, a kind of beer garden will be built there under new trees, which will not be assigned to any catering outlets. The restaurant can also dispose of further outdoor catering areas. Additional seating and a water feature are also planned

Old Sparkasse / St.-Georg-Platz site

The city of Bocholt and Stadtsparkasse Bocholt are planning a joint development of Manes-Schlatt-Platz and the properties at Markt 8 and Neustraße 2-4, where retail, catering and service spaces are to be created alongside the city museum and the city archive. The upper floors will house flats.

The public space is also to be remodelled in the course of the building work. The small car park to the south of St George's Church is to become a green area with recreational facilities. The traffic area is also to be adapted.

Station surroundings

As part of the state initiative "Bauland an der Schiene", a framework plan for the area around the railway station in Bocholt is to be drawn up in 2020. Among other things, this provides for the redesign of the station square. Furthermore, the city of Bocholt's Integrated Mobility Concept 2035 includes measures around Bocholt railway station. Various plans have been initiated on the basis of these plans and concepts. On the one hand, engineering planning has been commissioned for the remodelling of Bocholt railway station. The intersection of Theodor-Heuss-Ring/Ebertstraße/Kreuzstraße/Hindenburgstraße/Industriestraße has also been considered. A feasibility study was carried out for a multi-storey car park on Ewaldstraße.

The aim of the measure is to make public transport more attractive and to better link different modes of transport. It is therefore planned to develop the railway station into a mobile station. Additional bus stop capacities are to be created in order to expand the municipal and regional bus services. Improved parking facilities for bicycles are also to be created. Compressing the traffic areas will also create more recreational areas. In addition, the neighbouring junction is to be modified with the aim of improving road safety for pedestrians and cyclists in particular.

Aa south bank

The bank area will be widened so that more space can be created for play and seating. The playground will have play facilities for different age groups. Various seating areas will also be created. In addition to improving the quality of the area, it will also be ecologically enhanced. Insect-friendly perennials will be planted for this purpose. The existing trees will be preserved as far as possible. New trees will also be planted.

From Neutorplatz to the sunken bridge, there will be a water-bound footpath and an asphalted cycle path

Completed projects

Neutorplatz

Stadtsparkasse Bocholt built on the former Hertie site and relocated its head office from Marktplatz to Neutorplatz. Another commercial building was erected next to it. In addition, the open spaces facing the River Aa were widened. The new development meant that these areas could be remodelled and the quality of life increased.

A new square was created in front of the new buildings, which is used for events. In addition, various places to spend time were created, e.g. under the roof plane trees or by the grass bed. There is a railing on the River Aa, which partially extends over the water areas. More trees have been planted and benches erected in this area.

A footpath has been created along the Aa, bordered by beds of grasses. The footpath leads past a footbridge along the River Aa, where further seating has been installed.

The project was completed in April 2021.

Funding was approved for the measure from the urban development programme of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the federal government.

Aa north bank

The northern Aa promenade between Theodor-Heuss-Ring and Neustraße has been redesigned to make it more inviting. Two seating areas with a view of the River Aa have been created and edged with concrete block paving. A block step separates the square from the embankment and provides additional seating.

The green space has been ecologically enhanced with insect-friendly perennial and shrub planting surrounding the seating areas, for example.

In addition, the existing path was provided with a new water-bound path surface. The new surface prevents the surface from softening, so that the path is no longer muddy and is comfortable to walk on.

The redesign was completed in autumn 2023.

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

Weberplatz

One of the few green spaces in the city centre is located on Weberstrasse. Previously, this consisted mainly of low, flat shrubbery. Two small play areas were also integrated, but some of these had to be removed due to a lack of road safety. Since then, the green space's main function has been to provide access to the retirement home.

As part of the City of the Future 2030+ competition, suggestions and ideas for future use and design were collected at various public events and incorporated into the plans. These primarily related to the opportunity to move around and socialise

Young and old alike will find space and opportunities to play, exercise and rest under the shady trees in the centre of the bustling city centre. The design was complemented by the creation of shrub beds and the installation of raised beds, which are maintained in a joint project between the foundation and a neighbouring daycare 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 spring-mounted seesaw bench are arranged along the surrounding circular path and invite children to try them out.

The redesign was completed in summer 2022.

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

Liebfrauenplatz

Part of the area on Liebfrauenplatz has been transformed into an urban garden with a playground. Various seating and play elements have been integrated into an attractive garden area and thus contribute to increasing the quality of stay.

The area was already created as a temporary play garden for the "Bocholter Gärten" campaign in spring 2022. This was very well received by citizens and politicians, so the campaign was initially extended and then temporarily redesigned for the coming years. The square was opened in December 2023.

The city of Bocholt is financially supported by funding from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia from the "Sofortprogramm zur Stärkung unserer Innenstädte und Zentren des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen".