The project „Lennepromenade“ in Iserlohn Letmathe is part of the superior project called “LenneSchiene” in which eight local municipalities have established a bond that is about 160 km long along the river Lenne. Partner municipalities have recognized the wide range of potentials that Lennevalley offers in order to enrich the quality and appeal of life along the Lenneschiene through joint projects, such as continuous bike lanes along the Lenne or public access to the water.
Being the winning design of a competition, the Lennepromenade in Iserlohn Letmathe is an important component in this regional bond regarding urban development, economic, touristic, ecological and cultural revaluation. It comprises a 1 km long section of a bike lane along the Lenneroute and a nearly 200 m long section of the promenade, which, for the first time, allows the citizens unrestricted access to the water, as well as two so-called city bridges, which connect the promenade to the district centers. So far the districts Letmathe and Genna have been separated by the river Lenne. Although (pedestrian) bridges have provided a functional connection between the two district , the Lenne and its riverside have not been conceived as a landscape-spatial center. Both districts have developed their backs to the water on both shore sides. The identity-defining power of the Lenne has not been used for urban development.
The concept “Paths to Water” was implemented by a strategy including several steps over time and space, in which the realization of the Lennepromenade was the starting point. The new construction of the Lennepromenade and its connection with the two districts, which essentially refers to the north shore, was supposed to be supported medium-term by, upgrading the southern shore with a footpath. Direct access to the water on the Letmather side has been made possible for the first time by the Lennepromenade. Approaching from the east, it is almost brought down to river level. It crosses underneath the historic station bridge and then rises slightly further west to the level of the Lennedamm. Several viewpoints with benches provide a direct line of sight between the promenade and the river. A space-like expansion in the west forms the joint between the link to the city center. The Lennepromenade is designed and realized as “flood-proof”, since it is located in the potential flood area of the Lenne. The most important elements of the Lennepromenade include the Lennebalkon along with the Lenneterrassen and the viewpoints. The structural overhang of the Lennebalkon is being used to create a weatherproof location.
The engineering building, which dates back to the 1970’s, has been renovated and, with the Lennegalerie, given a new, appealing usage as an exhibition venue, promoting the public perception and a culture of acquiring public space. A staircase from the station bridge connects the level of the promenade to the main road connection between the city center and the train station on the Genna side. In case of a flooding, the bottom section of the stairs can be removed. Seating steps as well as stepping stones, which are placed directly in the Lenne allow an immediate stay on the shore, which can be put to use in multiple ways: during summer, the section is now being used as a swimming area with extensive play in the river and on the shore. The Lenneterassen, including a jetty for canoes, form an interesting counterpart in the west to the urban area of the Lennepromenade, which in turn offers direct relation to the water. Again, seating steps in this area enable access to the Lenne and provide several resting opportunities for cyclists. Also, in 2018 the restaurant LenneCafé is expected to be built on the Lenneterrassen. The city bridges form the connection of the Lennepromenade with the city center or the train station both on Letmather as well as on the Gennaer side. They are designed as urban public spaces, in which pedestrians together with cyclists take precedence over moto vehicle traffic. A spacious, roofed bicycle stand has been implemented in the eastern city cliff between city center and train station, which has naturally integrated an existing factory building of the Ruhrverband as an underground rainwater retention basin for granted. Double rows of scarlet cherries are the characteristic element of the city clasps. Using the tourist dynamic on the river for a revival of the city center is the aim of the city bridges.
This planning and construction process was accompanied by the close cooperation with the city of Iserlohn and the planning partners Hellmann Ingenieure GmbH. The acceptance of the measure by local residents and visitors has been increased by events in the newly won place. Hundreds of visitors were attracted by the opening ceremony at the Lenne.
Entrant office name: arbos Freiraumplanung GmbH
Role of the entrant in the project: landscape architect
Website: http://www.arbos-online.de; http://arbos-freiraumplanung.tumblr.com
Other designers involved in the design of landscape: engineering office Hellmann
Project location (Street, City, Country): Lennedamm/ Bahnhofstraße, Iserlohn- Letmathe, Germany
51°21’52.8″N 7°37’04.7″E
Design year: 2012
Year Built: 2017
characters: Riverbank, Waterfront, Squares and Plazas
