The stunning exterior of RRX Bike Highway, designed by Christoph Ingenhoven, showcasing its integration with the natural landscape and sustainable design elements
The stunning exterior of RRX Bike Highway, designed by Christoph Ingenhoven, showcasing its integration with the natural landscape and sustainable design elements
PROJECTS / RRX DÜSSELDORF
Bicycle Superhighway
The expansion of the RRX route generates momentum for further development along the entire corridor, positively impacting both the city of Düsseldorf and the surrounding region. As a symbol of connectivity and a sustainable future for the region, we propose the creation of a regional bicycle superhighway alongside the expansion of the RRX line.
The bicycle superhighway would run from Duisburg through Düsseldorf to Cologne, constructed above the portion of the tracks that will be renewed or expanded as part of the RRX route upgrades. This approach leverages the ongoing construction work to create a new, regenerative infrastructure element.
The bicycle superhighway serves as a pilot project for the region, with the potential to be adopted by other areas in Germany, leading to a nationwide bicycle network.
Düsseldorf sits at the center of the Kittelband Schwarzbach ecological corridor to the north, the Northern and Southern Düssel rivers to the east, the Brückerbach-Southern Düssel to the south, and the Rhine to the west. The FSH, accompanied by the planting of trees and shrubs along the RRX route, forms an additional inner-city ecological connection that intersects and enhances the existing network of green corridors.
The concept here is simple and driven by artistic intent: instead of aluminum noise barriers, rammed earth wall modules are proposed along the RXX railway line. This sculptural and material decision is a central aspect of the overall design. Through this competition, the aim is to provoke serious consideration of alternatives to the unsightly and universally deployed aluminum noise barriers.
The focus is to encourage the development of a noise barrier module with the following qualities:
The material is locally sourced and regionally specific, with local clay soils reflecting the character of each section of the railway line. Production requires minimal energy, making it a sustainable choice. Rammed earth walls contribute to a better microclimate, which is particularly valuable in urban environments. They are low-maintenance and easy to repair, offering practical advantages alongside their environmental benefits.
Data
Competition 2022
Credits
Traffic Planning Durth Roos Consulting
Civil Engineer R&P RUFFERT
Sustainability Consultant Atelier Ten
Landscape Architect BBS
Artist Michael Beutler
