Plans revealed for Barbarossa Square transformation into a fresh, verdant Stoppenberg center
In September 2025, the Barbarossaplatz in Stoppenberg will undergo a significant transformation, turning it into a "green heart" of the city district. The architectural firm Planquadrat, based in Cologne, has designed this renovation, with the winning concept titled "The New Green Heart of Stoppenberg."
The redesign aims to develop the central place as a lively meeting point and place of encounter, while increasing stay-quality and considering ecological aspects more strongly. The existing thoroughfare at the Barbarossaplatz will be removed for relief and safety.
Motorized individual traffic will be restricted at the upgraded Barbarossaplatz. A 10-meter-wide promenade will be created for pedestrian and bicycle traffic, as well as bus traffic, along the Thomaskirche. A demand-controlled traffic light will facilitate crossing to the square at the new bus stop, which will serve bus lines 140, 160/161, 183, and the Night Express (NE)2.
The Barbarossagarden will offer an open lawn area for use and seating facilities. The Citizens' Forum will serve as a central meeting point and provide space for encounters and stays, with up to eight market stalls planned. This area will be particularly significant, as it will host various events and activities, fostering a sense of community.
The redesign will eliminate a known accident hotspot on Hallostraße. The Committee for Traffic and Mobility will decide on the plan on September 11, subject to the decision of the District Council VI. If approved, the construction costs of the redesign are currently estimated at around 6.2 million euros.
Funds from the federal-state program "Social Cohesion" of urban development funding will be applied for. BPR Ingenieure GmbH & Co. KG from Essen will work on the implementation of the winning design. The city council has already set the course for this upgrade in 2020 within the Integrated Development Concept for the city district VI/Zollverein.
The new design for the Barbarossaplatz comes from the Cologne-based office GREENBOX Landscape Architects. The promenade will remain closed to regular motorized individual traffic, creating a peaceful and enjoyable environment for pedestrians and cyclists. The upgraded Barbarossaplatz is set to become a vibrant and welcoming space at the heart of Stoppenberg.
