Buga 2029: Competition for Bacharach decided

The Federal Horticultural Show 2029 will take place in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley World Heritage Site. This runs along 67 kilometers of the Rhine and approximately 620 square kilometers from Bingen/Rüdesheim to Koblenz. With the working title “Welcome to the Water”, the aim is to connect people, the World Heritage Valley and the BUGA. BUGA 2029 will take place at several locations simultaneously. The competition winner has now been chosen for one of the three focus areas, Bacharach in the Mainz-Bingen district. The landscape architecture firm urbanegestalt (Cologne) together with Hille und Tesch Architekten (Ingelheim) came out on top out of ten designs. Read more about the open space planning design competition here.

Bacharach is a historic town with a castle, monastery and half-timbered houses. It has already made a name for itself as a poetic, cosmopolitan meeting place. However, it is not only the architecture and cultural history of the town that is worth a visit, but also the natural surroundings. The city and Buga 2029 have set themselves the joint goal of strengthening the connection between the Rhine facilities and the old town. The aim is to offer locals and visitors a decelerated experience. The 10-hectare planning area runs from the Werth to the beach at the campsite. So many things come together here: Old town charm, landscape park, sports and leisure facilities, lido and camping.

The State Commissioner for Buga 2029, State Secretary Simone Schneider, is delighted: “I am delighted that the Buga is continuing to take shape in Bacharach. The winning design embodies the Buga’s declared aim of making the river a tangible experience and combines this with the unique medieval town center and many creative ideas from the town itself.” And according to city mayor Philipp Rahn, the winning design incorporates precisely the ideas submitted by the citizens of Bacharach. In this respect, he says: “In this way, we can continue to develop the gem of Bacharach until Buga 2029, not only with regard to our history, but also for future generations.”

The winning design provides a robust framework for the exhibitions and events of Buga 2029. Jochen Sandner, Managing Director of the Deutsche Bundesgartenschau-Gesellschaft, says: “The Buga concept builds on the foundations of the permanent redesign of the site. Future Buga visitors will certainly be able to look forward to many colorful and imaginative surprises created by the green sector for the visitor experience at the 2029 Federal Horticultural Show summer festival.”

The working title of the design for Buga 2029 is “Islands of Poetry”. Special places with different, inspiring functions are to be created on the islands. Various themes are brought together under the umbrella term of poetry: Creativity with painting and aesthetics as well as experiencing nature with travel and departure. The winning team divided the “Islands of Poetry” into “Auenufer”, “Park” and “B(e)acharach”.

Urbanegestalt and its team are dividing the Buga 2029 development area into three open space typologies: Floodplain park, landscape park and sports and leisure park with lido. Each of these typologies promises a different atmosphere. Meanwhile, the riverside promenade running along the Rhine links the open spaces together.

Auenufer

The “Auenufer” can be found in the north. Here, part of the landscape is being transformed into a floodplain landscape. The path meanders through near-natural planting, creating niches and places of retreat. The relaxed atmosphere is complemented by the Tonnenhof restaurant.

Climate garden and greenhouse

The path continues to the so-called climate garden and greenhouse. The area consists of lawns and drought-resistant plantings. The riverside promenade runs alongside a ferry landing stage. Here you can cross over to the Bacharacher Werth. The Münzbach lagoon connects the “Auenufer” with the wooden deck at the ferry landing stage. You can walk across the Rhine on large stones here. In general, there are plans for a usable bank area along the promenade – for example with seating steps.

Landscape garden

The next section leads into the so-called landscape garden. Here, in the historical part of the park, the original pathways of the Rhine facilities will be retained. In addition, the previous parking lot will be unsealed to continue the landscape park. Seating areas along the paths offer idyllic views of the Rhine and the city.

The central meadow in the planning area is used for sports and events. Beach volleyball courts and a calisthenics facility could also be added to the area. And there is a mobile wine pavilion on the shore.

A spacious area with activities for all age groups will be created in the southern section of the plan. The area is adjacent to the public swimming pool and the campsite. It therefore has the potential to appeal to visitors and especially the younger generations of Bacharach even after Buga 2029. The campsite could focus on innovative elements here. Group tent pitches or tiny houses would enable a diverse and sustainable camping experience.

The realization part of the open space planning competition only includes the Rhine facilities. The transition to the old town and the B9 is part of the ideas section. This only serves as an urban planning proposal. Here, the winning team largely took into account the specifications in accordance with the planning of the Landesbetrieb Mobilität. For example, they propose optimizing the parking facilities at the future Edeka supermarket by means of a mobility hub.

However, the real work is only just beginning. Buga Managing Director Sven Stimac said: “Together with the town of Bacharach and the prizewinners, we will discuss intensively which proposals from the draft can be financed, implemented and operated sustainably. We look forward to further cooperation”. Two further competitions have already been announced for sections of Buga 2029.

Did you know? BUGA 2031 will take place in Wuppertal. Find out more here.