Neubrandenburg's new traffic concept: Lively instead of parking!

Neubrandenburg's new traffic concept: Lively instead of parking!

Today there is exciting news from Neubrandenburg! The future of the city center is facing a change that puts people at the center of urban planning. Josephin Schielke, a 24-year-old student of landscape architecture who grew up in Neubrandenburg, presented innovative ideas for improving urban quality of life in her bachelor's thesis entitled "Free travel for walking and cycling. Concept for traffic calming in Neubrandenburg's city center." Loud Northern Courier, Schielke hopes for a lively discussion of her suggestions, inspired by cities like Copenhagen and New York.

Two central questions in her work are: What makes a city worth living in? And how can this ideal be reconciled with post-war modern urban planning? Their clear answer: A city must be safe, healthy, lively and sustainable. They are convinced that fewer cars improve quality of life. Currently, around 10,000 cars travel in downtown Neubrandenburg every day, with over two thirds of the area sealed. Schielke sees a need for action here.

Transport concept with foresight

The traffic situation in Neubrandenburg city center presents some serious challenges. With 430 paid parking spaces above ground and 540 in underground garages, car traffic could be drastically reduced to make room for pedestrians and cyclists. Schielke's suggestion? The abolition of all above-ground parking spaces - with the exception of residents' parking spaces - and the increase in cycling, walking and local public transport. “The city should not be designed for cars, but for people,” says renowned city planner Jan Gehl. He criticizes the fact that many modern cities are losing the human scale and are instead geared towards car traffic. In an interview, he explains that reclaiming street space for pedestrians and cyclists is crucial to improving urban quality of life. His principles for urban planning, which are in Future mobility are recorded, place an emphasis on the promotion of non-motorized transport and public space.

Schielke is also calling for a new bus route with stops at “Marktplatz” and “An der Marienkirche” in order to better connect the city center to the existing route network. In order to increase pedestrian safety, a continuous east-west pedestrian zone from the town hall to Treptower Tor is being planned, supplemented by two cycle highways - one in an east-west direction and one in a north-south direction.

Sustainable development and civic engagement

Another aspect that Gehl emphasizes is the need to actively involve citizens in the planning process. More meeting areas and meeting points could not only increase the attractiveness of the city center, but also boost commercial activity. Gehl emphasizes that an attractive city is like a good party: “People stay longer than planned.” People should be at the center of urban development; A better design of public space is of central importance for this.

Schielke's concept also envisages restricting car traffic, with exceptions being made for residents, taxis, delivery traffic and people with reduced mobility. In addition, car-free zones are to be created on Wartlaustrasse, Behmenstrasse and Dümperstrasse. The possibility of renting bicycles and scooters in parking spaces close to the city center rounds off their suggestions.

“With my bachelor’s thesis I would like to encourage us to think about the design and use of our city,” says Schielke. Even if their ideas are initially just a thought experiment, they can still be a first step towards a greener and more humane future for Neubrandenburg. In the words of Gehl: “A city should not be designed for cars, but for people.”