The future of Bocholter Aasee

Framework planning Aasee

Aasee outline planning 2023 — *The Aasee masterplan*

The city of Bocholt is constantly working to further develop the Aasee and its surroundings. The Aasee forms the connecting element between the city centre, KuBAaI and Aasee - and is therefore an important area in the heart of our city.

There have been various developments around the Aasee in recent years:

new plans at the KuBAaI site,
a development plan for catering areas on the north-western shore,
enquiries about the expansion of the mobile home park and the use of the bathing bay.

An overall concept is needed to ensure that everything fits together well and is developed sensibly.

In order to plan the next steps, the city of Bocholt commissioned Lichtenstein Landschaftsarchitekten & Stadtplanung (LILASP) with a framework plan for the Aasee in summer 2022:

as a report and plan graphic
Cost and financing overview

Further information

Creation of the Aasee framework plan

LILASP analysed the area in detail - strengths, weaknesses and opportunities
Citizens and many interest groups were able to contribute their ideas and wishes in autumn/winter 2022
Topics such as demographic change and climate adaptation also played an important role
This resulted in a draft framework plan in the first half of 2023

The framework plan for Lake Aa has been finalised - with clear ideas for the future. Important steps were taken:

Many measures for Lake Aa: developed, evaluated and prioritised according to costs, benefits and impact
23 August 2023: Presentation of the draft (incl. report and plan graphic) to the Committee for Planning, Construction and Transport
Preparation of a cost and financing overview (KuF) by the city administration
23 October 2023: Decision on framework planning and KuF in the Bocholt City Council

Implementation of the framework plan

The measures from the Aasee framework plan are to be implemented step by step from 2025 until beyond 2030.

To this end, the city is examining, among other things, which funding programmes can be used. In addition, budget funds will be regularly earmarked for the most important measures from 2025.

Before implementation, the individual projects will be worked out in more detail and the cost plans will be updated.

To keep everyone up to date, the city reports annually to the Committee for Planning, Construction and Transport on the current status of the work.

What happens next at Lake Aasee?

The first visible changes around Lake Aa will soon be visible:

New wave loungers: from the end of 2025 you can relax at four special places with a view of the lake
Catering at the Aasee Terraces: Construction work is in full swing.
Aasee Terraces: The public space around the new catering area is being redesigned.
Playground at the bathing bay: The large playground is being redesigned in a natural way.

Other projects are also being planned:

More bicycle stands at various locations
Expansion of the nature zone by the lake
Ecological enhancement with new plants and well-tended shore areas
Sports and playfacilities for all generations
Further development of the festival meadow for events