The city of Göppingen is set to transform into a „feel-good place“ as the pilot project „Pedestrian-friendly City Center“ kicks off on June 18. This initiative aims to temporarily close the main street to traffic from June 18 to September 18 to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment, complete with seating areas, green spaces, and a range of activities for enjoyable car-free evenings and Sundays. The opening festival will take place on June 21.
The project will see a limited extension of the existing pedestrian zone from Schillerplatz to Schulstraße at the town hall. Restrictions will be in place on weekdays from 6:30 pm to 6 am, Saturdays from 3 pm, and all day on Sundays and public holidays. This move aims to address the issue of disruptive „show-off“ traffic in the city center. While the one-way streets in the north-south direction will remain accessible during the closure times, access to the main street will only be possible from the south via Kellereistraße.
In addition to the street closures, the project will also see the removal of parking spaces on the main street for the duration of the pilot phase. However, parking spaces are available in the city, with 3472 spots in ten parking garages within walking distance of the city center. During the project period, parking at the Jahnstraße parking garage with 850 spots will be free on Saturdays.
To accommodate the changes, the city bus will operate on a slightly altered route during the pilot project, with additional stops on Kellerei- and Pfarrstraße. The initiative aims to create a more vibrant and pedestrian-friendly city center, with plans for new events, markets, and performances to enhance the overall experience. The success of the project will be evaluated through a citizen survey at the end of the three-month period to guide future decisions on city planning and traffic management.