We spoke to architect Barbara Buser about river swimming as an urban phenomenon and asked her why Germany is having such a hard time with its river baths.
Barbara Buser from the in situ construction office based in Basel, Zurich and Liestal co-curated the Swim City exhibition. We spoke to the architect about river swimming as an urban phenomenon and asked her why people in Germany – think of the Berlin or Munich initiatives – have such a hard time with their river pools.
In 2017, Munich city activist Benjamin David was celebrated nationwide in the media for his way to work. He swims. Unusual for Germans, commonplace for the Swiss. In Basel summers, even people in suits are transported to work by the Rhine. Barbara Buser, what significance does water have for the quality of life in a city?
Water is an important element in every city, be it in the form of fountains, proximity to the lake or sea, streams or rivers. Water defines the possible development, often even the shape of a city. At the water’s edge, you can experience the seasons intensively, take a walk by the water, relax or do sport. In Basel, the Rhine is the largest contiguous urban space. Letting yourself drift through the city in the river and experiencing it from an unusual perspective is a great thing.
You co-curated the “Swim City” exhibition. What was the aim of the exhibition?
The aim of the exhibition was to awaken the desire of city dwellers to reclaim and use urban waters. We wanted to point out to the people of Basel, Bern, Geneva and Zurich how lucky they are to be able to swim in the river through the middle of the city. But it was also about supporting the various national and international initiatives in Berlin, Paris and New York City and encouraging them to continue fighting for the right to swim in the river.
What insights have you gained from Swim City for your own work as an architect?
I have once again realized how formative water is for a city, how important the interfaces between land and water are, and that these need to be designed extremely carefully.
Political tasks and poor water quality
River swimming is almost unthinkable in major German cities. The laborious discussions about river baths in Berlin and Munich are a good example of this. What do you think is the problem?
Three points. Firstly, that people don’t trust citizens to take responsibility: it’s easier to ban swimming than to draw up rules and take responsibility. Secondly, that the waterway laws need to be adapted – an arduous political task. And thirdly, the water quality – which is often inadequate after heavy rainfall in Berlin or Paris, for example.
Nevertheless, a number of river projects are underway across Europe. Which ones are you particularly looking forward to?
Any project that manages to make river swimming a natural part of everyday life (again). I always have my bathing suit with me when I travel so that I can take advantage of every opportunity to swim.
A detailed article on the Swim City exhibition, which identifies river swimming as an urban phenomenon in Switzerland, appeared in G+L 06/2020 on the topic of water in the city.
Barbara Buser is a qualified architect ETH and energy specialist. In 1992, she was the first woman to take the Rhine ferry captain’s exam in Basel and has regularly steered the Münster ferry across the Rhine and back ever since. Since October 2014, she and a dedicated team have been bringing new life to the Markthalle and KLARA in Basel under the motto “eat, drink, enjoy”. She has been involved in various projects in Berlin with “die Zusammenarbeiter” for years. She has also been a member of the Flussbad Berlin association since it was founded.
