Urban Space Morgartenring Station, Basel

In 2010, as part of the regional planning process ELBA (Entwicklungsplanung Leimental, Birseck, Allschwil), we proposed a new S-Bahn station at Morgartenring. This formed part of a sustainable package of measures entitled “Urban Development and Transport,” aimed at improving accessibility and fostering the qualitative development of the Basel metropolitan region – as an alternative to the western and southern motorway bypass planned at the time. The proposal was subsequently included in the 2035 expansion step (STEP), and Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) prepared a feasibility study and preliminary design for the station.

With our recently published development concept Stadtraum Morgartenring, the circle closes after 16 years: we demonstrate how the new station (scheduled for completion by 2031) can gradually become an integral part of the surrounding neighbourhoods and a catalyst for high-quality urban development.

Given the surrounding, almost entirely protected and densely built neighbourhoods, as well as relatively modest projected frequencies (5,000 to 6,000 passengers per day), the urban development and transformation potential lies primarily in small-scale yet impactful interventions. The existing forecourt of the tram depot will be redesigned as a fully-fledged station and neighbourhood square, and the tram and bus stops will be repositioned to optimise transfers (direct interchange between rail, bus and tram; accessibility compliant with the Swiss Disability Discrimination Act). A reconfiguration of the turning loop will create space for bicycle parking and public areas. Targeted redesign of selected street junctions will establish an attractive, safe and fine-grained network for pedestrians and cyclists around the station. Existing diagonal connections will be upgraded into high-quality green links.

Significant opportunities lie in strengthening connections between the two major development areas of Bachgraben and Binningerstrasse. In the long term, a southern station access is planned, linked to the Wanderstrasse axis (rail–bus interchange). To the northwest, the current cantonal and municipal boundary will be transformed into a generous green corridor with a cycle route, connecting the station to the Bachgraben area. The currently underused sites can be densified in phases, thereby reinforcing this important green space within the urban structure.

The concept demonstrates that large-scale gestures are not always necessary – particularly in a high-quality, identity-forming context. Small, cost-effective and carefully designed measures can have significant impact and be implemented quickly. The larger interventions – the southern connection and the green corridor towards Bachgraben – can be realised later and in stages.