Wilhelm-Külz-Platz

Origin
The city square, characteristic in form and planting for the Wilhelminian period, was laid out as Wilhelmplatz in 1882 by the city gardener, Otto Werner (1854-1923), who was appointed to Chemnitz in the same year. In the years of his work, further town squares were created as well as two public parks, the Stadtpark Chemnitz and the Küchwaldpark. His horticultural work enriches the cityscape of Chemnitz to the present day. In the years after the Second World War, the square was named after the politician Wilhelm Külz. In the course of time, newly laid-out roads and paths increasingly dissected the site. Parked cars and unfavourable path connections led to a loss of the quality of the open space and the quality of the stay.

Transformation
A redesign in 2015 aimed at the reorganization and careful integration of contemporary pathways and seating in harmony with the valuable old trees. The street stub was removed and car parking was created on the west side of the square. The course of the former road curve from 1882 was taken up as a striking design element and was the guiding principle for the creation of a new main path. Kerbstones and granite paving stones reused from the existing buildings emphasize the connection as a slow, historical level through their materiality. Intersecting path axes directly connect the main connection points. Through their stringency and new concrete block paving, they symbolize a fast, contemporary level in contrast to the "historic sweep."

Open Space Development
The curved main path is accompanied and spatially emphasized by five newly planted blood plums. Benches are located along the main and side paths. The intersection of the paths is marked by a small perennial area. The low-maintenance mixed planting with its variety of colours offers an attractive appearance into the winter.