The third largest park in Regensburg is in the process of being constructed on the site of the former Nibelungen barracks near the city centre. When the site was transferred into the ownership of the city authority for conversion so that it could be provided with new facilities to meet local needs and linked with existing structures, a competition for open space and urban development concepts was launched; the winning tenders were those submitted by the consortium Astoc GmbH & Co. KG based in Cologne and the mahl gebhard konzepte landscape architect firm from Munich.
Initiated with the redesign of the former barracks area was the creation of a so-called 'Tech-Campus', intended to provide not only a contemporary residential location but also buildings for the university of applied sciences OTH Regensburg, a vocational college and businesses. The green spaces of the roughly 86 acre site were to serve to link together the neighbouring zones and help bring residents together. The name Brixen-Park is intended to evoke the close links that have existed between the cities of Regensburg and Brixen (Bressanone) in Tyrol for over a thousand years.
A particular design challenge was provided by the slope to the north that was converted into terraces in accordance with the plan. The area is now subdivided by three green park axes running in an east-west alignment that provide it with a marked recreational character. The three resultant terraces ensure all buildings are exposed to sunlight while they are dedicated to individual themes: meadow park, play and sport park and forest park. Interlocking of the terraces has been achieved by the use of green strips and open spaces for recreational purposes. They are further accentuated by structures at each end and two public spaces. The overall result is a new and generously proportioned landscape park that provides leisure opportunities for the whole local district.
Green spaces as a spatial structuring element
The green space concept of the Tech-Campus currently being constructed on the site in collaboration with Regensburg's municipal parks office will set standards as to the nature of urban open spaces of the future. Such spaces will combine urban living with nature, sport activities and relaxation, creativity and pleasure. The plans for the Tech-Campus take into account many of the criteria that are relevant to sustainable urban and open space design. In addition to the planting of climate-friendly shrubs and trees, emphasis is placed on quality of life, urban species conservation, climate adjustment strategies, promotion of health and encouragement of the use of footpaths and cycle trails in addition to environmental justice, social justice and the multiple use of spaces. At the focus are the provision of accessibility and the well-being of users so that an unusually extensive range of sport and leisure activities is on offer.
The linking of the park with the surrounding area was a core requirement of the plan as a high fence had previously cordoned off the former barracks site. A barrier-free network of cycle trails and routes of various types connect the north to the south and west to east. The three park zones are coupled together by means of green corridors. This green network extends into the neighbouring residential areas. In the case of the planting, particular stress was placed on sustainability (use of climate-resistant trees, provision of shade, hardy plants) and low maintenance. The new site extends to some 86 acres, some 32 of which take the form of green spaces while roughly 6500 m2 accommodate play facilities for children and young people.
The play and sport park
The open air play and sport park in the centre of the site was designed in workshops in which children and young people participated and inclusion aspects were also taken into account. During several consultation sessions, the children and young people were asked to express their wishes and ideas for the park to ensure that they contributed to the design of the play and sport facilities. Among these were children aged 7 to 12 years, adolescents in the age range 13 to 17 years and physically handicapped individuals. The contributions were pooled and the various wishes and ideas were integrated in the play and sport park concept. Created were a climbing structure that can be used for parkour and a rock garden of massive limestone boulders that were hand-picked from a local quarry. This area has been supplemented by an individually designed wooden structure. Thanks to the stepped design, this structure can also function as seating and provides a central meeting point where users can come to chill out. In addition to the renovation of the basketball and volleyball courts to the west, the children and young people also wanted a fitness area in which bodyweight could be used for training. This takes the form of a grove of poles, vertical wooden elements with horizontal bars, slack lines and callisthenic elements that playfully provide for the corresponding needs. The playground equipment manufacturer Zimmer.Obst GmbH was responsible for the detailed planning and implementation of the play structures. The equipment has both a playful-athletic character and a natural feel and is constructed from oak. The horizontal bars in the fitness area are made of stainless steel. In the case of the parkour structure, wood is used for the horizontal elements that are held in place by vertical stainless steel rods. One special feature is the 'tiger striping' of the timber beams. This has been created by means of multiphase surface treatment involving the use of a chainsaw and paint. Otherwise, the colouring concept is very restrained. In addition to appearance and structure, the focus when it came to the design of the equipment was on sustainability, durability and resistance to vandalism.
There is a water play area with extensive mud play zone for younger children. At present under construction in the play and sport park is an inclusive play space. All areas here will be accessible by physically handicapped children; it will have as its theme that of the dragon of the Nibelung saga that was proposed in the children's workshops. Mounds with EPDM impact protection covering will represent the humps of the back of the dragon. On these mounds and other surrounding mounds will be positioned various play structures, such as ground-mounted trampolines, climbing ropes, a wheelchair carousel, a wobbly board and much more. The dragon's tail will be an accessible and climbable viewing platform in the middle of a hornbeam labyrinth.
The head of the dragon will be located in a neighbouring play zone and this will also be accessible and climbable. An integrated slide will bring users from the head down into a play space where there will be slides, a table tennis table and a sand play area. A sand table is also to be sited here so that wheelchair-bound children will be able to enjoy the experience of playing with sand.
A dynamic topography is generated here by means of the positioning of the play areas in depressions that sunk roughly 50 cm below the level of the surrounding ground, making them spatially and functionally separate. The six play depressions follow the line of the main pathway like pearls on a necklace. The existing trees have been carefully incorporated in the plan and provide gateway areas to the play and sport park.
The barrier-free inclusive park is located in the centre of the new site and can be reached by public transport, by bicycle and on foot.
The forest park
A tranquil counterpart to the play and sport park is provided by the forest park that borders it to the south. With its dense tree growth and water-linked trail network, it compensates for the activity-dedicated zones. The forest park with its benches and its recurrent clearings encourages young and old to rest and take time out here or indulge in relaxed strolls. Specially designed walkways lead visitors through the park and thus ensure that the effect on the ecology is kept to a minimum.
The meadow park
The whole of the campus is embedded in green structures. The meadow park to the north acts as a connecting element but also at the same time separates the new business park from the residential area that abuts it to the north. This grassed zone is part of the east-west local green link. Its well-maintained, species-rich meadows provide the necessary environmental offset for the disturbance of nature associated with the construction activities.
Well-mown depressions sunk in the ground in this area provide sites in which it is possible to play or simply to relax. The interaction between the extensive meadows and well-kempt lawns with the integration of existing trees provides this promenade zone with its unmistakably natural character. The preservation of these trees creates clear spatial relationships and generates, with the addition of fruit trees, a perfectly organic feel.
In some of the depressions, there is the opportunity for locals to have a go at urban gardening. These sites have been made available by the local authority and are managed by the Transition Regensburg association that promotes horticulture. Locals can thus cooperate in the planting of vegetables and fruit in the raised beds, their care and the subsequent harvesting. This project also promotes social interaction out of doors.
Use of plants
The green space includes a valuable stand of existing trees to which 600 have been added. The tree species employed include Hungarian oak, Turkey oak, Swedish whitebeam, hornbeam, beech, rowan and various fruit trees. A 'flying hedge' of high-trimmed rock pear surrounds one of the play depressions. Along the park trails are flower beds with various indigenous shrubs. There are mown grassed areas in intensively used zones together with extensive species-rich meadows.
Public spaces as meeting places
Access to the Tech-Campus is provided by the new Franz-Mayer-Strasse. This roadway runs from west to east across the forecourt of the technology park and opens up the site. This public forecourt is to the south of the new innovation centre and functions as a central meeting place in which the public green spaces link together the surrounding technology buildings and which is also readily accessible from the OTH Regensburg. This rectangular space is defined by loose rows of trees orientated in a north-south alignment. The space is covered by a patchwork structure of different surfacings, including granite and concrete paving stones and asphalt that provide for a differentiated appearance. There are two rows of conjoined granite paving stones that extend from the space across the road and serve to calm passing traffic. At the same time, the use of natural stone paving is reminiscent of that used in the old town of Regensburg.
Because of its extent, diversity and distinctive appearance, Brixen-Park was awarded first prize in the 2019 German SPIELRAUM competition. The purpose of this competition is to honour play spaces with model-like character. The prize is awarded jointly by STADT und RAUM Messe und Medien GmbH, the German Park Managers Association (GALK), the German Association of Cities and Towns (DST) and the German Olympic Sports Federation (DOSB).
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