Mobility and Urban Development, Basel 3Land

A planning agreement among the three involved cities—Basel (CH), Weil am Rhein (DE), and Huningue (FR)—aims to transform the cross-border 3Land area, formerly dominated by industrial, port, and logistics uses, into a vibrant, mixed-use, tri-national urban district. Previous planning indicated that successfully integrating mobility would be crucial for achieving qualitative densification. To coordinate settlement development and traffic (infrastructure, flow, mobility), the “Tri-national Mobility Study” was commissioned—supported by a working group that included seven local authorities and two institutions involved in 3Land’s planning. Based on various development scenarios, the resulting mobility concept defines connectivity principles derived from the spatial structure.

According to the concept, private motorized traffic (MIV) will be concentrated at mobility hubs located on the outer “3Land perimeter.” A high-quality public transport system through the “3Land Core” will ensure optimal connectivity between neighborhoods and to the perimeter. A central, new Rhine bridge, dedicated to public transport, pedestrians, and cyclists, is essential for functional connectivity—and critical from both urban design and symbolic perspectives—for cross-border development.

The urban development principles aligned with the mobility concept focus on encouraging densification and enhancement around mobility hubs, upgrading structural traffic corridors into legible urban streetscapes, and weaving cross-connections between neighborhoods and green spaces. Supported by detailed sub-concepts, associated measures, and an action plan, the Tri-national Mobility Study serves as a working tool for the authorities involved, guiding the next steps in planning. It envisions approximately 20’000 new residents and around 40’000 new jobs over three development phases through 2040.