Basel: New plans for urban expansion on the Rhine

Klybeckquai and Westquai in Basel have been among the most dynamic places in Switzerland for over 100 years. Between the Dreirosenbrücke bridge and the border triangle, the harbor, the city, the Rhine, the river Wiese and three countries and regions come together here. With the modernization of the port, the urban planning barrier created by the tracks of the current port railroad is now to be overcome - which in turn will enable urban expansion towards the Rhine for both Klybeck and Kleinhüningen.

At the end of August, the cantonal government of Basel City presented a new planning proposal for the Klybeckquai - Westquai site development. This is based on the Grand Council's counter-proposal to the withdrawn popular initiative "Port for all", which was adopted in 2023. "The aim is to create more open spaces and natural areas as well as new offerings for the population and the economy," says Esther Keller, member of the cantonal government and head of the Canton of Basel's Department of Construction and Transport. "This should benefit the Klybeck and Kleinhüningen districts as well as the city and the tri-national region."

The new planning proposal envisages expanding the Klybeck district as a residential quarter with schools, daycare centers and stores in the direction of the Rhine; a variety of affordable apartments are to be built in perimeter block developments with green courtyards. The barrier of the harbor railroad tracks will be removed; traces of the industrial past will remain visible in the new quarter. A new streetcar line is planned, and pedestrian and bicycle traffic will be prioritized.

Planned neighborhood park will be significantly larger

Westquai, located between the Dreiländereck, the Rhine and the port, will remain in the industrial and commercial zone and is to be repurposed once the existing building rights expire at the end of 2029. Uses and development on Westquai are to develop over a longer period of time; possible uses include work, urban production, commerce, leisure, gastronomy, culture and public green and open spaces. Further development options for the current interim uses are also planned for Klybeckquai. Existing buildings are to be preserved as far as possible in line with the "net zero 2037" goal, and the open spaces and natural areas have been increased by around 20,000 square meters compared to the previous urban planning concept and now account for half of the Klybeckquai - Westquai site perimeter. The central element of the open space concept is a district park on the Rhine, which emerges from the Ackermätteli and connects the Klybeck district with the Rhine. It is intended to serve as a leisure and recreational area and contribute to the biotope network and urban climate.

The Rhine promenade is to be widened and extended by two kilometers from the Dreirosenbrücke bridge to the Dreiländereck. Existing natural areas on the site will be largely preserved or replaced within the perimeter of the site and the port railway. The public participation period runs from September 9 to 22, 2025. (bw)