Basel: New urban quarter on the VoltaNord site
2,000 to 3,400 new jobs and housing for 1,300 to 2,000 people are to be created on the VoltaNord commercial and industrial site in Basel, also known as the Lysbüchel site. The plans for this have now been presented by the Department of Construction and Transport of the Canton of Basel-Stadt.
Basel is suffering from a housing shortage, while at the same time the supply of vacant industrial and commercial space is decreasing, making it difficult for companies to relocate and expand.
The government of the city canton wants to respond to this development through the targeted densification of underused areas such as VoltaNord. The 11.6-hectare site between Elsässerstrasse, Schlachthofstrasse and the railroad line is currently used for commercial and industrial purposes. The departure of the Coop distribution center in 2017 and the SBB's site strategy following the expiry of the building rights and rental agreements on the part of the site used by the SBB offer an opportunity to transform the site in order to attract additional jobs and create new living space, writes the Department of Construction and Transport in a press release.
The planning provides for a clear separation between noise-intensive and noise-sensitive uses. The northern area of the site remains in the industrial and commercial zone (zone 7) and is intended to provide space for high-emission businesses and other commercial uses. Separated by quiet commercial areas, the focus in the south of the site is on residential use. The additional school building urgently needed in St. Johann is also located in the south.
The existing property at Elsässerstrasse 215 on the Coop site is to be converted and will offer approx. 20,000 sqm for commercial and cultural uses in future. The development plan allows for an overall increase in the gross floor area on the site from the current 85,000 sqm to 210,000 sqm. Of this, at least 40 percent each is reserved for work and residential uses. Increased noise protection requirements for new buildings on the site are intended to ensure that the neighboring businesses are not restricted in their development.
Open spaces and green areas are also planned: An urban square at the interface with the existing neighborhood will be supplemented by a recreational area to the west, which will be connected to a nature conservation zone along the railroad tracks. Access for motorized traffic is from the north and east; there is no through traffic. This also applies to delivery traffic for businesses.
The planned changes require a development plan, new building and road lines as well as changes to the zoning plan, the noise sensitivity level plan and the residential area plan. In addition, part of development plan no. 165 (St. Johann railroad station / Voltastrasse) is to be revoked. The planning documents are still open to the public until August 30, 2016. (ah)
