Lübeck wins mobility prize: Beckergrube becomes a pedestrian zone!

Lübeck wins mobility prize: Beckergrube becomes a pedestrian zone!

In a radiant celebration of innovation, Lübeck recently won the Mobility Prize at this year's Energy Olympiad. The award was given to the project “Redesign of Beckergrube – Mobility Transition and Structural Change in Resilient Urban Spaces”. The aim of this ambitious project is to transform a central street into a climate- and future-friendly traffic area that not only improves the cityscape, but also makes the stay more pleasant for citizens. The city has a total of 7,666 euros in prize money, which will flow into further planning. According to [LN Online]. 

The conversion of the Beckergrube focuses on creating a spacious space for pedestrians and cyclists, in which the quality of stay in an increasingly lively city center is also intended to be increased. In order to implement the plan efficiently, clear stages have been set, with construction work starting in late summer last year and scheduled to be completed by 2026. However, it hasn't all been without difficulties - some local businesses, including popular eatery Colestreet, have had to close while construction work is in full swing.

Details about the renovation and financing

The redesign of the Beckergrube is part of a larger mobility concept that was decided on in 2019. It is intended to increase the quality of stay and promote climate-friendly modes of transport in the city center, as the city administration reports on its website Lübeck.de. With a solid total volume of 3.5 million euros, financed from the federal “National Urban Development Projects” program, work is being carried out on a solution that takes sustainable account of both walking, cycling and bus traffic. Traffic changes during the full closure from October 2024 to autumn 2026 are already being planned: shops, restaurants and medical facilities will remain easily accessible to pedestrians, while cycling in pedestrian zones will be made possible at night.

A shuttle service will also improve connections between the central squares. The diversions for vehicle traffic and buses have also been carefully considered so that the flow of traffic can be maintained despite the extensive construction work. The St. Marien car park also remains accessible, which is important for many drivers.

Involvement of the population and events

Citizen participation is a central element of the project, and as part of this, an advisory board for Beckergrube was founded, made up of around 30 representatives from various interest groups. Public information and participation events are also planned, including a site open day scheduled for May 10, 2025. Here, Lübeck residents have the opportunity to actively participate in the redesign of the urban space and to contribute their ideas.

The conversion of the Beckergrube is not only a local project, but also reflects the trend in many cities to increase the quality of life through sustainable mobility concepts. It is therefore not surprising that similar initiatives are also being pursued in other parts of Germany, such as Berlin. Berlin.de explains that there, too, the focus is on improving the environmental network, i.e. walking and cycling, as well as buses and trains, in order to noticeably slow down the trend towards motorized individual transport.