Bern: Plans for the Gaswerk site become more concrete
The Gaswerkareal, one of the largest development areas in Bern, is to be developed into an urban quarter. The planning documents are now in the public consultation phase.
Bern's municipal council wants to develop the Gaswerk site into a diverse and lively urban district with urban mixed use, public open spaces and attractive natural areas. A total of 300 to 500 apartments are to be built, most of them in the affordable segment. The building complex at the western bridgehead of the Monbijou Bridge is also to be further developed.
According to the municipal council, a centre for the neighbourhood with a mixed-use, dense development is to be created in the northern area of the Gaswerk site between the Marzili and the Gaskessel. In addition to residential and work uses, educational, leisure and sports facilities are also planned here. A maximum of 68,500 sqm of above-ground floor area is permitted.
In the middle area, the local council wants to further develop the gas boiler as a youth and cultural centre. A maximum of 5,500 sqm of above-ground floor space is to be permitted here. In the south of the site, a residential superstructure is to be built, especially for families - with an above-ground floor area of up to 21,000 sqm. In total, 60,000 to 80,000 sqm of additional floor space can be realized on the Gaswerk site in addition to the buildings to be preserved.
A redevelopment based on the existing building is planned for the bridgehead west. On the areas above the level of Eigerstrasse, retail and service uses as well as housing - in part at affordable prices - are envisaged. According to the ZPP, an additional 11,500 sqm of floor space can be realised here. In the base below Eigerstrasse, retail, leisure and storage uses as well as parking areas are to be accommodated. An additional 5,000 sqm of floor space is possible here.
As these plans cannot be implemented in terms of planning and building law under the current zoning, the Gaswerk area and the bridgehead west are to be rezoned to two zones with planning obligation (ZPP). The corresponding planning documents are still open for public consultation until mid-September. There is to be a referendum on the project in summer 2023.
