Town Centre Diepoldsau

The center of the municipality of Diepoldsau is currently dominated by traffic from the cantonal road, which cuts through the town center.

A key element of the road redesign is the introduction of a multifunctional central lane, which facilitates crossings and reduces the dominance of motorized traffic. A roundabout at the intersection of Hauptstrasse and Vordere Kirchstrasse transforms the main road—despite high traffic volumes—into an extremely compact traffic space (without turning lanes, waiting bays, etc.), while still allowing all traffic movements for all users. This creates short, direct, and logical routes, improving orientation and navigation. It also supports the goal of strengthening the town center as a vibrant hub: its high visibility and foot traffic foster central uses. The roundabout and central lane solution allows for numerous safe and convenient pedestrian crossings, turning the road into a unifying element.

A courtyard-based urban structure, inspired by the traditional settlement pattern of the Rhine Valley, enables gentle densification of the center—taking into account land ownership and existing development plans. Mixed-use buildings, with publicly oriented ground-floor functions and offices or housing above, create a diverse, flexible, and lively character for the center. New façades help define a new central village square at the intersection of the two historical street axes. The old post office becomes part of this square and acts as a spatial hinge in the public realm. Small-canopy chestnut trees bring a human and village-scale quality. The square accommodates a variety of uses, such as a gathering space, beer garden for the restaurant, market area, or bus stop waiting zone. A bus turning loop is discreetly integrated into the design.