Halle is planning a future center: get citizens actively involved by October 6th!

Halle is planning a future center: get citizens actively involved by October 6th!

The city of Halle (Saale) is currently in the process of redesigning Riebeckplatz. The draft for development plan No. 174.2 with the title “Riebeckplatz Future Center” is now publicly available. This reports dubisthalle.de. Citizens are invited to submit their ideas and suggestions until October 6, 2025. Riebeckplatz plays a central role as a traffic hub in Halle and is frequented by numerous cars, buses, trams and pedestrians every day.

With the new development plan, the city aims to reorganize the cityscape and develop a “future center for German unity and European transformation”. The designated planning area extends over approximately 7.8 hectares and mainly includes areas used for transport purposes. The focus is not only on the renovations, but also on a new way of thinking about transport functions that are aimed at a better quality of life.

Involvement of citizens

The city administration has set citizen participation at a high level. The documents for the development plan can be viewed both online on the Saxony-Anhalt participation portal and on site in the foyer of the Neustädter Passage 18 administration building. In addition, feedback can be submitted in writing or digitally, both via the state portal and using a participation form that is available online.

A further step in the planning will be an architectural competition, which is to be held this year. Riebeckplatz is to undergo a fundamental restructuring, which will also include the site of the former Maritim Hotel. The information events that took place in March provided information about the planned building heights of up to 90 meters and the integration of various possible uses, such as living space, commercial space and services. MDR reports that an expansion of the offerings for walking and cycling is also being considered.

A future-oriented concept

The structural concept envisages reducing car traffic in favor of pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The elevated road over Riebeckplatz could be landscaped and only opened to cyclists and pedestrians, while alternatives such as the demolition of bridges are being discussed. The new streets will be flanked by accompanying cycle and pedestrian paths, making the space more accessible and harmonizing the overall appearance, as also described in the Citizen Participation Guide here.

The aim of these measures is a more unified and open cityscape that both promotes social control and increases the well-being of visitors and residents. The ground floors of the new buildings should be designed to be functional and inviting, which is already exemplified by the example of a supermarket in the HWG residential and commercial building. This development could not only give Riebeckplatz a new, fresh face, but also strengthen its cultural and social significance for the region.