Cologne is planning new art at the Waidmarkt: This is how the square should shine!

Cologne is planning new art at the Waidmarkt: This is how the square should shine!

In Cologne there is movement again at the Waidmarkt. The city has big plans to transform this historic square by 2031 or 2032, thereby closing the wounds of the past. What appears to be a simple redesign has deeper roots. 16 years ago, a tragic construction accident occurred here during the subway construction, when the construction pit at Waidmarkt collapsed and the city archives with a large part of its historical documents were destroyed. Tragically, two people lost their lives, which still reverberates in the city's society today. As the city of Cologne explains, the Waidmarkt should once again become a livable urban space that goes hand in hand with the themes of memory and attractiveness. Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger has compiled the latest developments.

The focus is on planning in two phases, which will start until next year 2029 and include various artistic interventions. From 2026 to 2029, three art projects under the name “Interventions” are planned, which are intended to help revitalize the square and give it an urban identity. Mayor Henriette Reker emphasizes the importance of transparency in the planning process and the need to include citizens' opinions and wishes.

Detailed planning and protection

The technical implementation of the project will not be easy, because the original depths of the excavation pit reach up to 6.50 meters below the normal level. A bit like a good deal - you have to dig deep to get to the goal. Extensive safety measures are planned to cope with the difficult situations in the excavation pit. The ground will be secured with around 240 micro steel piles, and a noise barrier will be built to relieve the burden on residents. The new concrete base will consist of around 5,000 cubic meters of earth and 2,000 cubic meters of concrete. The city also planned a memorial space in the future Waidmarkt building, the details of which are still up in the air. Urban Transport Magazine also informs about the fact that the subway is scheduled to open in 2028 or 2029.

What do citizens say about it? Günter Otten from the “Archive Complex” initiative sums it up: Many Cologne residents are frustrated that not much has happened since the collapse in 2009. But with these art projects, the Waidmarkt should finally be put in a new light. Among other things, the first art project is entitled “Panorama Pavilion,” which makes the redesign even more exciting. There are also other projects such as “Magical Realism” and “Open Space Visions”. These are each advertised for six months and deal with the question of how urban spaces can be rethought.

A look into the future

The specific design of the Waidmarkt should be finalized by 2031, but many passionate minds are already at work developing ideas and making them visible. An ongoing exchange between the city's specialist offices, citizens' initiatives and experts drives this process forward. The goal is to give Cologne back a place that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also historically relevant. A concept that is successful in every respect is required, and the city is prepared to do good business with it. Even though the road is still long, the first steps show that there are exciting times ahead at Waidmarkt. City of Cologne has provided all the necessary information.