Redesign proposals for Harmonieplatz in Dietzenbach: alternative designs to consider
In the heart of Dietzenbach, plans are underway for a significant transformation of Harmonieplatz square. The city administration has announced two design variants, each focusing on climate adaptation, enhancing public space, and strategic funding.
The first variant, dubbed the Climate-Adapted Green Space with Enhanced Public Amenities, aims to create an urban oasis for residents. This design incorporates extensive greenery, such as trees and vegetation, to provide natural shading, improve air quality, and help mitigate heat island effects. The multifunctional area will include seating areas, open lawns, and pathways, encouraging diverse social interactions.
The funding for this variant may require a moderate investment, primarily directed toward planting, landscaping, and infrastructure for seating and lighting. Potential sources of funding could come from municipal budgets supplemented by environmental grants.
The second variant, Mixed-Use Space with Integrated Water Management and Event Facilities, combines green areas with hardscaped zones suitable for markets, cultural events, and community gatherings. This design aims to maximize usability and flexibility while incorporating sustainable water management features like rain gardens or retention basins to manage stormwater and reduce flood risks.
However, this variant is expected to involve higher costs due to specialized infrastructure and event facilities. The potential sources of funding could include a mix of public funds, local business sponsorships, and cultural grants.
Both variants prioritise improving climate resilience and creating vibrant, functional public spaces. They differ in their focus on natural green infrastructure versus multifunctional mixed-use design and in their associated funding approaches.
Citizens have expressed a desire for increased greening, removal of sealed surfaces, more shady areas, better lighting, and seating options. The redesign of Harmonieplatz is part of a larger climate adaptation concept for Dietzenbach, with a comprehensive redesign being hoped for, as a scaled-down variant with only minor changes would be more difficult to finance.
The redesign is supported by 78% of participants in a survey held in August 2024, and the city council decided to increase the de-sealing of public spaces and adapt them to changed climatic conditions in 2024. The implementation of the redesign depends on the funding, and Mayor Lang emphasises that the chance of funding is crucial for the redesign.
The town of Dietzenbach plans to redesign Harmonieplatz in the old town, with cultural events and parking space compensation in the surrounding area being important topics for the redesign. The evaluation of citizen participation has been reached, and two design variants will be worked out and further discussed in the coming months.
As the redesign progresses, Harmonieplatz is expected to become a modern and livable meeting place for citizens.
What about integrating a home-and-garden section into the Climate-Adapted Green Space with Enhanced Public Amenities variant, providing residents with the opportunity to enjoy a taste of their lifestyles within the urban oasis? This could potentially further encourage diverse social interactions and enhance the vibrant, functional public space.
As for funding the home-and-garden section, it could be supported through partnerships with local garden centers or horticultural societies, offering workshops or educational sessions as part of the garden's offerings.
