Mannheim Towards a Livable City

Making Mannheim an even better city to live, visit, and invest in

Sector

Civic & Public

Region

Europe

Timespan

2018

Credit: Achim Mende

Mannheim is quite unique. Its inner city, known as the Quadrate is like no other — a street grid so systematic it makes it look messy! Gehl developed a strategy to make the city center even more livable by analyzing its existing conditions to enable a fresh take on the inner city’s urban strategy and potential.

The analysis revealed that many of Mannheim’s cultural landmarks could be elevated by enhancing the public spaces around them. Museums, theaters, and music venues should have greater visibility in the public realm, with activities extending beyond their walls. Well-designed public spaces in front of these venues should invite people to gather, linger, and engage with culture freely — turning the buildings inside out and creating a more dynamic and inclusive urban experience. Credit: Achim Mende

Transforming Mannheim’s streets doesn’t require eliminating cars entirely but rather rebalancing priorities to create a more people-friendly environment. By implementing strategic traffic calming measures at key locations, streets can become safer and more inviting without full pedestrianization. These subtle interventions encourage slower speeds and may naturally lead drivers to choose alternative routes, fostering a more accessible and vibrant urban experience. Credit: Gehl

A strategy for a livable Mannheim

In order to make Mannheim an even more livable city, and one in which people want to visit and invest in, the city authorities recognized the need to understand the city in more detail — through the eyes of the city’s users and different municipal departments. The city also faces several challenges, including a shifting retail landscape, an overreliance on on-street parking, and limited opportunities to enjoy its riverfronts. Gehl cast fresh eyes on the urban core, orchestrating and qualifying discussions with a preliminary analysis. This process uncovered key findings such as a strong local character, created by the approximately 30.000 residents living there.

The outcome was a strategy document containing an accessible set of recommendations designed to preserve local characteristics, establish a balanced transport system and activate public space for the people of Mannheim. Mannheim has since incorporated this strategy into its broader city planning, which is now progressing through political processes. Beyond policy and directives, the city reported that one of the most significant benefits of the project was its ability to foster collaboration among municipal staff, bridging departmental silos and encouraging a shared understanding of the city’s functions, challenges, and future vision.

Suggestions for a harbor bath at the Verbdindungskanal to activate the waterfront. Credit: Gehl

Andreas Røhl, Mobility Lead

Lisa Müller-Schober, Project Manager

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