Fight for space: Friedrichstrasse in Schwerin urgently needs solutions!

Fight for space: Friedrichstrasse in Schwerin urgently needs solutions!

Friedrichstrasse in Schwerin's city center is a real magnet for crowds on warm days. But behind the lively backdrop, the road also presents challenges that urgently need to be solved. The combination of outdoor dining, the traffic of cars and delivery vehicles results in a narrow space in which pedestrians often find little space. The passage on the popular street is particularly torture for families with strollers and people with walkers or wheelchairs. This issue was recently addressed in the non-public part of the main committee of the state capital Schwerin and it is clear that there is an urgent need for action here.

The fears are clear: motorized vehicles, including mopeds and cars, traverse the narrow alley with no clear separation between walking and driving areas, putting pedestrian safety at great risk. The outdoor area of ​​a restaurant also takes up almost the entire pedestrian zone, which further exacerbates the situation. The goal is to design Friedrichstrasse in such a way that it becomes barrier-free and safe without compromising the quality of stay. Structural measures such as bollards and floor markings are conceivable, which could create a clearer demarcation between the restaurant and the sidewalk. A comprehensive redesign of the street space is also under discussion.

Pedestrian zone for Pushkinstrasse

Similar to Friedrichstrasse, Puschkinstrasse between Markt and Friedrichstrasse also shows a need for action. A traffic-calmed area will soon be created here, which will later be converted into a pedestrian zone. The majority of city representatives approved the administration's proposal. In the newly created traffic-calmed areas, vehicles are only allowed to drive at walking speed, which should significantly improve the quality of stay. Neighborhood residents such as Domstrasse and Markt already enjoy similar regulations, so the conversion of Puschkinstrasse will close a valuable gap in the traffic calming concept.

The conversion to a pedestrian area is scheduled to take place over the next year and involves extensive public participation. There are certainly critical voices, such as that of AfD city representative Dirk Lerche, who criticizes the loss of parking spaces. However, the proposal finds support from Arndt Müller from Alliance 90 - The Greens / The Party, who supports the creation of alternatives to parking.

General meaning of pedestrian zones

Pedestrian zones are a successful model in many European cities when it comes to offering people a safe space to stroll and shop. Its roots go back to the 1950s, when the first pedestrian zone was created, Kramergasse, in Klagenfurt. Germany soon followed, with Oldenburg establishing its first pedestrian zone in 1953. As a rule, these zones are designed in such a way that they beautify the cityscape and at the same time increase the quality of life.

Design elements such as surface design, furniture and attractive shop facades are of great importance here. Pedestrian streets not only promote social interactions, but also contribute to economic development by creating a pleasant environment for doing business. Cyclists and electric scooter riders are allowed to ride in certain areas if marked accordingly. The rules for pedestrian zones are set out in the Highway Code and stipulate that parked cars are generally not permitted.

Overall, the developments in Schwerin show that responsible use of urban space is important in the interests of all citizens. Friedrichstrasse and Puschkinstrasse could become showcase projects if the right balance between safety, gastronomy and quality of life can be found here.