Authors: Michał Górski, Michał Obarzanowski, Kinga Wolińska ex. Raczak

Conducted by: Wojciech Wicher, Ph.D

Jury’s opinion: „The work of the team from the Krakow University of Technology is characterized by an intelligent and graphically clear approach to the topic of shaping the downtown area of Frankfurt. It was possible to find the right balance between the preserved historical buildings, the urban space, the Main and the substance of the 1950s, partly complemented by the structures. The authors fully meet the criterion of a diverse pedestrian connection in the north-south direction, from the center towards the Main. Streets and squares are characterized by high quality of public space. The elimination of intense traffic on Berliner Strasse is achieved by extending the tunnel towards the east. This also allows for a new shape of the western part of Berliner Strasse. However, the development of Paulsplatz is incomprehensible, as it constitutes an obstacle to the existing beautiful sequence of squares from Hauptwache to the Main. Participants from Krakow are the only ones to propose an urban layout in the form of the so-called clusters – overlapping different functional layers, with the residential function predominating. This urban planning proposal, continued in the sphere of architecture, can greatly enrich Frankfurt’s housing typology – especially in the city center. The Menu waterfront has been shaped in a metropolitan manner and freed from traffic. In front of Romer Square, another spacious square is being built, framed by the bridges on the Main (Untermain-Brucke and Alte Brucke) with two transparent, organic glass structures. These structures have multiple utility potential, also in winter and in bad weather. The Eiserne Steg footbridge is extended towards the buildings. To sum up, a realistic, high-quality vision was created here, inspiring and increasing the attractiveness of downtown Frankfurt.”

 

Urban concept of re-consideration of the Frankfurt historical core was focused on the following three principal rules:
1 – respecting existing and former urban context values in the central part of the city
2 – emphasizing historical outline in search of the future shape of the downtown
3- setting new functional facilities and structural links of the area and / with the vicinity

Regarding these rules the idea of the sustainable development towards connection and coexistence between three different zones of urban structure: re-shaped historic downtown, still growing skyline city and future waterfront of Main river was established.

These three elements represented three different periods in urban development with the whole variety of architectural forms and urban layers constituted the reality of the city’s core structure.
They were chosen as the most appropriate elements for representing the past, present and future identity of the downtown of Frankfurt am Main.