Customs and Station District, Lörrach–Riehen

The station and customs district, located at the border between Lörrach and Riehen, is one of the strategic projects of the Basel agglomeration due to its location along the Lörrach–Basel railway line and the planned construction, in the medium term, of a new multimodal transfer hub (railway and bus station, tram terminal). Through a phased restructuring, this already densely built-up, fragmented, and poorly accessible part of the city is to be transformed into both an attractive urban district and a transportation hub.

The major challenges lie in the implementation and coordination of the various projects. A logical bundling of measures related to transport infrastructure and urban development allows not only for the structured upgrading and development of the area but also provides a framework for financing urban improvements. In the first main phase, the focus is on upgrading the primary axis of Baslerstrasse–Lörracherstrasse through traffic reorganization and targeted densification. In the second phase, the new train station will be constructed. By modifying and densifying the existing urban structure and carrying out various interventions, a new neighborhood network will emerge, offering generous and continuous access to the station.

Each redevelopment step brings added value in terms of public space: new paths and plazas are created, addressability is improved, and noise protection is integrated. A coherent urban structure is formed with continuous neighborhood streets and quiet inner courtyards featuring green spaces for both private and communal use. In the final phase, the station district itself will be developed. Public transportation (tram, bus, and train) will be consolidated, and the customs square will be relieved of traffic, facilitating border clearance. The customs area will be transformed into an urban plaza with strong identity and character.

The transformation is guided by a new urban vision that serves as the master plan. The concept is presented in a simplified, user-friendly format to ensure understanding and accessibility for all stakeholders.