Bocholt „Spieltextour“

Context

to the top

Following the building of two shopping centres in Bocholt (pop. 74,000), an extension of the retail offer took place at the southern fringe of the city. In order to secure the overall city centre development, the reorganisation of the pedestrian area and transport access were carried out in parallel. Strengthening the “city centre economic location”, increasing its quality as a place to spend time, and securing the inner city housing are goals of the city centre renewal. All measures for increasing the city centre’s attractiveness were bundled under the involvement of many stakeholders in an integrated action concept.

Project description

to the top

One of the goals pursued by the City of Bocholt during the urban renewal of the pedestrian areas from the 1960s and 1970s was that of improving the quality of the city centre for residents and visitors as a place to spend time. The needs of children and young adults were given considerable attention here. With the slogan "Spieltextour", the child-friendly improvement of pedestrian areas, green areas and squares were worked on in two phases. The first step was a two-day “play event”. Here, play areas were searched for and temporarily fitted with play equipment. In nine places, attractions such as skill games, a large city sofa or water games invited children to play. This way, it was possible – in a playful fashion – to analyse the acceptance of the locations and a needs and location analysis was conducted. Besides children and youths, residents, teachers, educators, traders and the responsible specialist authorities and planners were involved in this cooperative and methodical planning approach.

In a second step, the creation of a concept for a permanent placement of play equipment in the city has taken place. Different ideas arising from the process of involvement have since been put into practice. This way, nine so-called “Spielpunkte” (“play points”) were set up in the city centre, two squares reorganised with particular attention the needs of children and youths and also an existing play area renewed. The measures enhanced the city and contributed to keeping the city centre attractive for living.

Project chronology

to the top

Aims

to the top

• Increasing the quality of the city centre as a place to spend time, particularly for leisure and playing
• Children and youth-oriented facilities in public areas
• Securing the function of the city centre as a place to live
• Improvement of children’s opportunities to play
• Exploiting synergy effects of the improvement measures for residents, visitors, city marketing and retail

Types of measures

to the top

• Integrative and cooperative planning process with different stakeholder groups
• Reorganisation of public areas
• Carrying out a two-day “play event”
• Documentation of the event in a brochure and a video film
• Creating and implementing a play area concept
• Setting up nine “Spielpunkte" (“play points”) in the city centre

Innovations

to the top

In Bocholt, it was possible to develop and implement a child and youth oriented urban design in an exemplary process. The project "Spieltextour" was successful because of the contributions of many stakeholders. The city centre wins as a residential, play and shopping area through this at the same time.

Sources

to the top

• Without author (without year): "spieltextour Bocholt". Neue Zwischenräume für Spiel und Bewegung, Kommunikation und Kunst in der (Innen)stadt. (New niche areas for play and exercise, communication and art in the city (centre)). In: <http://www.stadt-t-raeume.nrw.de.>. o. O. (photo 2,4)
• Ministry for Urban Development and Living, Culture and Sport (Ministerium für Städtebau und Wohnen, Kultur und Sport) for the state of NRW (2002): Nachhaltige Stadtentwicklungsprojekte umsetzen (Implementing sustainable urban development projects). State-wide competition 2000 in NRW. Düsseldorf (photo 1,3)
• Garten und Landschaft (Garden and Landscape), magazine for landscape architecture (2004): public design. Issue 4/2004. Munich (layout plan)

Further information

to the top

• <http://www.bocholt.de/>

The projekt site ist to be found at postal code: 46395 - town: Bocholt - street: Gasthausplatz.

Protagonists

to the top

• City of Bocholt, Grünflächenamt (green area department), Reinhold Wilke, 46395 Bocholt, Tel. 02871/239638-12, Fax: -20, eMail: <rwilke@mail.bocholt.de>
• ARGE Landscape architects BDLA, Gasse + Schumacher, Martin Gasse, Vogelsang 5, 33104 Paderborn, Tel. 05252/52125, Fax: 05252/53063, eMail: <info@gasse-schumacher.de>