Train Station District, Biel

Biel railway station occupies a central position within the national rail network and ranks among the ten most frequented stations in Switzerland. It is also an important regional and urban transfer hub. Fifteen city bus lines, several regional postal bus lines, and a regional rail service are connected here. Various bicycle routes pass through the area, and the station is integrated into the dense pedestrian network of the city centre. In the immediate vicinity of the station are dense central neighbourhoods with key institutions (Bern University of Applied Sciences, Volkshaus, Congress Centre).

The concept envisions full integration with the surrounding neighbourhoods. A key role is played by the so-called “stepping stones”—green neighbourhood squares that benefit from the concentrated pedestrian flows generated by public transport. They are located at the ends of the station platforms and are connected to the new rail access points. Bus stops are also distributed at these locations. This not only improves connectivity and the station’s function as a transfer hub but also enhances access quality for adjacent districts and uses. In addition, it relieves pressure on the central axis (city centre–lake), creating more space for greenery and pedestrian circulation. The station square becomes free of car traffic. Thanks to this integrated perspective, synergies are created and mobility becomes an opportunity.

Equally important is a differentiated urban development strategy for the station area. Consistent repurposing of existing structures and the interplay between high-end and cooperative urban development models lay the foundation for a high-quality, Biel-specific station district.