Case Description
In times of pandemic, in order to relieve the local public transport and, at the same time, to encourage people to be physically active, Germany decided to promote safe walking and cycling in its cities. To do so, Berlin launched an eight-kilometer pop-up cycle path, which repurposed road space initially intended for motorized vehicles to be used as a bicycle lane. Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg has been the first district to create this “pandemic-resilient infrastructure”, and later on other districts followed. This system of pop-up cyclable lanes guarantees a safe space for people to ride and encourages more open-air activities.
Relation to Resilience
The project aims to provide residents with a safe option during the pandemic period to keep their daily routines, like going to work, to school or regular purchasing chore. Likewise, allocating more space to bike lanes at the expense of vehicles sustains the mobility function of public space, while diversifying its users. The intervention opens opportunities for more residents to navigate the city by walking, cycling or skating, creating a public space that is more inclusive and health-promoting.