Ostpark Bochum

In Bochum, the Ostpark project is currently being implemented on 43 hectares by 2025. Two independent districts are planned, which will be linked to the existing development structure and connected by the newly created Havkenscheider Park. In addition, one of the city’s first car-reduced districts is being created. You can find out more about the park, the Feldmark district in the west and the Havkenscheider Höhe district in the east here.

Like many cities and municipalities, Bochum is facing the same pressing question: how can the increasing demand for high-quality, affordable housing be met? To meet this problem, Bochum is currently driving one project in particular – the Ostpark. It is currently the largest residential development project in Bochum. Around 1,300 new residential units are to be created here by 2025. Two independent neighborhoods are being created on a total of 43 hectares – Feldmark in the west and Havkenscheider Höhe in the east. These have been designated on previously derelict land and areas that have already been over-planned. The city describes the location as something special. This is because Ostpark Bochum enables the inner edges of the city to be sharpened on the one hand and opens up new access to the landscape on the other. The project is also intended to respond to the existing buildings. The new residential buildings will each tie in with the existing development structure of the Altenbochum and Laer districts.

The quarter aims to be more than just a residential project. The open space concept by Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl sets new standards. Under the motto “Urban, green and sustainable”, the landscape architects developed high-quality urban and landscape spaces in close cooperation with the city of Bochum. Particular attention was paid to the newly created stream, which serves as a recreational area for the adjacent neighborhoods and also drains the precipitation. In addition to the water and green structures, the well thought-out system of footpaths and cycle paths also acts as a connecting element.

A mix of residential concepts is planned for the neighborhood. In addition to owner-occupied or owner-occupied apartments, rental apartments and subsidized housing will be offered. In addition, two construction phases for self-managed housing projects are planned in the Feldmark quarter. In addition to the architecture, the design of green and open spaces by Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl has played a key role since the start of the construction process. Of the 43 hectares, 14 hectares are planned as net building area. The majority of the new quarter will therefore remain unsealed. Instead, generous green and water areas are planned. The 2.2-kilometre-long central watercourse and adjacent recreational areas form the green-blue backbone of the district. In future, the linear open space element will also act as a link between the two districts of Feldmark and Havkenscheider Höhe. These differ in their disposition.

The Feldmark district, located to the west of the project area, is being built on the site of the former city nursery in Altenbochum. With around 700 new residential units, the district will provide a home for the majority of new residents in the future. The master plan envisages a perimeter block structure. Five-storey buildings are planned to ensure a high building density. The urban character will continue to be promoted by public uses on the first floor. The design guidelines and the development plan suggest that medical practices, law firms or gastronomic facilities such as an ice cream parlor or a café could be located here. The Altenbochum district center is also intended to function as an urban attractor. Short paths lead from the built-up areas to the surrounding open spaces and recreational areas. Furthermore, a water playground, a promenade and a neighborhood square will be created along an open, above-ground watercourse.

In general, the use of water is a defining feature of the entire Ostpark. Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl planned an open rainwater drainage concept for this. The precipitation water is channelled into the aforementioned new watercourse on the surface. This should not only improve the climatic conditions of the urban landscape, but also increase the quality of stay as a design element. The landscape architects’ plans include a water playground in the Feldmark and seating steps along the watercourse. From the west, the canal takes its course westwards through Havkenscheider Park and the Havkenscheider Höhe district and finally flows into Harpener Bach.

A further 600 or so residential units will be built in the eastern quarter. In addition to perimeter block development, as is also planned for the Feldmark quarter, the Havkenscheider Höhe will be supplemented by a variety of building typologies. In addition to so-called townhouses – terraced houses with a small footprint on several floors – detached single-family homes are also being built, as well as some urban villas in the north of the area. The open space design of the Havkenscheider Höfe is more landscaped than that of the Feldmark. Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl designed the watercourse here as a gently meandering stream with landscaped retention and infiltration basins. Newly created paths provide access to the open landscape from the neighborhood. A connection to the supra-regional cycle path network with the “Parkway Emscher-Ruhr” is also planned. Mobility within the district also plays an important role. The concept includes a street network of traffic-calmed areas, a bicycle lane and a neighborhood garage.

Havkenscheid Park is being created between the two districts. As a large green space, it aims to make it possible to experience nature in the immediate vicinity of the city. Allotment garden plots are also planned. In the center of the park, the watercourse coming from the west feeds a landscaped lake. While the southern bank is designed to be close to nature, a large space for events is planned for the north. Finally, the park opens up to the open countryside to the northeast. Or to the A 43 federal highway, which runs about one kilometer to the east. In the future, it will not only be the new districts of Ostpark that will benefit from the central recreational area of Havkenscheider Park. The existing neighbors from Altenbochum or Laer will also be able to reach the park easily via footpaths.

In general, the Ostpark sees itself as a model ecological and climate policy district. This is reflected not only in the creation of fresh air corridors, the abundance of greenery and the above-ground watercourses. On the initiative of the Plan4Change research project, further structural adaptations are planned. Green roofs, shading elements and light colors on the buildings are prescribed. The mobility concept also aims to avoid private transport and promote climate-friendly alternatives. All processes for the project have been running at full speed for over ten years. The first design workshop began back in 2009 with the involvement of local residents, tradespeople and citizens of the city. Around 13 years later, construction work on the open spaces and the drainage system in Havkenscheid Park began in 2022, as well as building construction work on various plots of land.

Criticism arose because around three hectares of forest were cleared for the new district. However, according to the Green Party, this did not yet exist when the land was rezoned as building land in 2000. Compensatory planting in the city of Bochum is now planned. The numerous advantages of the project for urban development must also be put into perspective. The next few years and decades will show how the Ostpark will develop as a district and open space structure.

Another exciting project in the city: Husemannplatz Bochum by Sinai.