Cologne Waidmarkt: Art projects and subway construction planned by 2032!

Cologne Waidmarkt: Art projects and subway construction planned by 2032!

At the Waidmarkt in Cologne, something is happening! The Cologne Verkehrsbetriebe (KVB) have big plans for this central location. The subway tunnel is to be completed by 2031 or 2032, which is a decisive development for the city as part of the North-South Stadtbahn. The construction work has been in full swing since November last year, and there are already progress that may be happy to look forward to residents and passers -by. For pedestrians, a 2.50 meter wide sidewalk is provided on the west side of the construction site, while a soundproofing wall of three meters high ensures the necessary breaks, as the KVB blog reports.

But not enough: The city of Cologne wants to further develop the place around the Waidmarkt as the living center of the city. Working closely with citizens' initiatives is to develop an appealing urban planning concept. This planning is to be implemented in two phases. Mayor Henriette Reker has emphasized the importance of the project, whereby the focus is particularly on dealing with the memory of the former historical archive. In the years 2026 to 2029, three art projects, called "interventions", are also planned.

a place of encounter and memory

The concrete planning for the Waidmarkt provides for not only to design the space functionally, but also to enhance artistically. Projects with the titles "Magic Realism", "Freiraumvisions" and "The Laboratory on the Waidmarkt" are planned, among other things. These should be advertised in a competition and aim to awaken the Cologne population's attention and to make the place more everyday. Günter Otten from the "Archive complex" initiative noted that many Cologne residents are waiting for visible progress and it is important that citizens are integrated into this process.

The challenge is not only the structural redesign, but also how to preserve the memory of the tragedy of the former historical archive, which collapsed 16 years ago and demanded two lives. This problem is a central concern of the city and the initiatives involved.

future steps and completion

To complete the Waidmarkt, a few steps are still necessary. From 2029, a long -term concept is to be developed as part of a cooperative workshop procedure. The final design of the Waidmarkt should be completed by 2031, whereby the City Council of Cologne will decide on the next steps in its meeting on July 3.

and the construction work on the Waidmarkt still have a lot ahead of them. After dismantling the old road bridge and securing the excavation pit, progress in the construction of the new facilities to the Stadtbahn are already being recorded. Depending on the complexity, up to four years are planned for the construction period, but the completion could be in sight at the end of 2028/early 2029.

So it remains exciting at the Waidmarkt. A small district of Cologne could soon become a lively, inviting center that linked history, art and urban life in an exciting way. If you look at the plans and progress, the city administration seems to revive the old area with a good hand!

For more information and current updates, a look at the articles by Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger , KVB blog and City of Cologne.