Lake shore Sondern Olpe

Despite its scenic attractions, the number of guests and day trippers to the region has been declining for a long time. The comprehensive redesign of the Sondern lakeshore is a core project of the Regionale 2013 structural development programme.

The only lake railway station in North Rhine-Westphalia characterises the small Olpen district of Sondern. It represents the central entrance to the excursion region around the Bigge and Lister lakes and allows a direct transition from the regional train to the excursion boat. However, its rails separated the village from the lakeshore, and the surrounding area was characterized by dreary asphalt parking lots, designed to accommodate the disproportionate amount of car traffic on sunny weekends. It was necessary to minimize the barrier effect of the tracks, to connect the place more intensively with the lake and to significantly increase the quality of stay for residents and visitors. The design of a lakeside promenade, which borders the tracks on both sides, minimizes the visual flaw and elaborates the straight-line intersection of the landscape as an aesthetic feature. A reorganization of the area realizes the goal of a largely car-free town center and, in its entirety, meets the demand for an attractive destination for excursions in the future.
The design is based on the results of a participatory planning process that takes into account the wishes of the various interest groups as extensively as possible. The reduction of parking areas and their relocation to the outskirts of the town achieves the goal of a town centre that is as car-free as possible. A project that reflects the social change of perspective, away from a car-friendly to a people-friendly design of the communities.