Limburg a. d. Lahn, Germany, October XX, 2025. Flooded basements after heavy rains; parched ground during hot summers: the climate crisis is presenting cities and towns with new challenges – Limburg an der Lahn is one of them. In view of increasing periods of heat, heavy rainfall and the progressive loss of biodiversity, the city in the German federal state of Hesse, is developing a comprehensive plan for the use and design of the central Paradies greenway. The vision: around two kilometers long, the greenway between the city center and the southern part of the city is to become a district park that defies climate change, promotes social inclusion and participation in society, and is ecologically valuable. The experts from Drees & Sommer SE support the city administration with their expertise. The Stuttgart-headquartered consulting firm specializes in the fields of construction, real estate and infrastructure.
A Green Backbone for the Southern Part of the City
The Paradies greenway extends from the Stephanshuegel hill to the Sigi Wolf Park, along the Grossbach stream. The greenway links the city center with the southern part of Limburg. It is already used by a lot of people as access paths, footpaths or place for local recreation and relaxation. Yet despite its climatic importance as a fresh air corridor and its location in the heart of the south of Limburg, much of its potential remains untapped. Perceived unattractiveness for leisure time use, inadequate lighting and incomplete access options restrict the use of the area.
The new plan aims to upgrade the Paradies park as the green backbone of the southern part of the city. Not only will it connect downtown to the neighborhoods in the south of the city, but the new plan also aims to upgrade the park as a space for personal interaction, movement and biodiversity. “We intend to turn the greenway into a truly distinguishing space, an area with its own identity. It is not only about adaptation to climate change, but also about local mobility options, biodiversity, and social inclusion and participation to society,” said Katrin Keil, who heads the project at Drees & Sommer.
Climate Change Adaptation Meets Urban Design
At the heart of the proposal is the idea of developing the Paradies greenway as a climate-active and socially effective space. Greening at specific locations, the rewilding of the Grossbach stream and new retention areas should help to cool the city and improve rainwater management in future. Biodiversity will be increased as well: wildflower meadows, meadow orchards and close-to-nature plantings create habitats for insects, birds and small mammals. A possible ‘knowledge trail’ along the park should make ecological connections visible and provide environmental education in everyday life.
However, the concept goes far beyond ecological aspects. It sees public space as a stage for urban life, as a place where everyday life, personal interaction and movement come together. The greenway will play a key role in connecting the southern part of the city with the city center. A new main route for pedestrians and cyclists as well as additional side paths will improve accessibility and provide better links to the adjacent neighborhoods. Aids to crossing the pathways and a consistent path guidance system ensure orientation and safety. The greenway will be used by pedestrians and cyclists every day – and thus help to promote sustainable mobility between the urban districts.
A Public Movement and Social Interaction Space for Everyone
In addition to the ecological and infrastructure measures, the focus is also on the social and design quality of the greenway. The new district park is to be an inclusive place, open to all, regardless of age, origin or mobility. A range of recreational areas will be created along the paths. A reading garden is an invitation to linger – as the main meeting point and heart of the park – and covered seating areas will offer shelter in all weathers.
In addition, health promotion facilities will be created as an incentive for exercise in everyday life. This makes the greenway not only a green retreat, but also an active space for leisure, health promotion and social interaction.
Citizen Participation as a Key to Success
A core element of the project is the active involvement of citizens at an early stage. In September 2025, the citizen participation initiative Markt im Park (‘market in the park’) enabled around 60 residents, passers-by and interested parties to contribute their ideas, wishes and points of criticism. Over 70 favorite locations were collected in several stages, as well as contentious areas and respondents’ wishes. The initiative was supplemented by questionnaires, an online survey, and a campaign in which schoolchildren participated, who creatively contributed their viewpoints on the greenway.
The feedback was broad and varied. While some praised the close-to-nature design and peaceful atmosphere, others criticized the lack of seating, unclear pathways and dark areas without lighting, which caused anxiety in the evening. The desire for a better quality of user experience, exercise facilities for all age groups, better maintenance of green areas and a clearer separation of pedestrian and cyclist routes were mentioned particularly often.
“The participation of the public in the initiative has shown how important the greenway is for local people, as an everyday path, a retreat and a social meeting point,“ explained Mauriz Porsche, Junior Consultant at Drees & Sommer. “These perspectives have been directly integrated into our planning and will help us develop a plan that is not just functional but a lively concept, close to the people’s needs.“
Katrin Keil added: “The citizens’ feedback is a crucial element of the process. It indicates how firmly the greenway is already anchored in everyday life and how great community interest in its development is.“
A Far-Sighted Project
The Paradies greenway is part of the Social Cohesion program and a key issue of the integrated urban development plan of the city of Limburg. The plan is scheduled for completion in spring 2026. Once the design phase has been completed, the city administration can apply for funding specifically to implement each of the measures, such as from programs for climate change adaptation, sustainable mobility solutions or green infrastructure.