From parking spaces to vibrant public places
The City of Karlsruhe is transforming its streets to better serve people. Since 2010, the development of an underground light rail and tram network, as part of the city’s ‘Kombilösung’ project, has created opportunities to reallocate ground-level space for greenery, public life, and soft mobility. To build on this momentum, Gehl, in partnership with Weeber+Partner and ARGUS, developed a comprehensive Public Space and Mobility Plan for Karlsruhe’s inner city.
A key component of the plan was car regulation, achieved through an updated circulation plan and a priority network accommodating all modes of transport. Gehl also devised thematic strategies focused on public life, mobility, and green space, which were integrated into a cohesive Public Space and Mobility Plan. A detailed action list provided a clear roadmap, ensuring sustainable and impactful urban transformation.
To bring the vision to life, the team piloted street activities — temporary seating, planting, and programming — by repurposing parking lots in the city center. These life-sized public interventions tested the feasibility of converting parking spaces into hubs for public life and demonstrated their potential to foster community engagement. The results from Gehl’s Public Space Public Life assessment of the pilots showed that enhancing public spaces can lead to an increased number and diversity of people visiting, staying, and enjoying the space. Today, one of the former parking lots have been permanently reimagined as vibrant public space, inviting people from all walks of life to gather and connect.
