The Smart Switch

There are several advantages of the site: central metropolitan location, abundant natural elements - various green spaces and water proximity, as well as important flows of tourists, residents and workers. However, these positive key features are undermined and limited by both visible and invisible fences and boundaries. The site's poor connections with other parts of the cities lend to today's lack of popularity and dynamism.

Our project aims to rethink this interface area and transform it through the concept of the "smart switch": a spatial node linking the blue and green corridors to new public spaces inside the harbour, with, at its core, a multi-modal innovative mobility hub. Autonomous crystal car line, waterway reorganization, a new railway station, bike sharing and cable car infrastructure will all contribute to anchoring and integrating the harbour gateway to the local spatial and mobility system of Strasbourg metropolis. Strasbourg metropolis is at the crossroad of several major European mobility and blue-green corridors along and cross the Rhine. Located between Strasbourg(France) and Kehl(Germany), the port is one of the most important metropolitan gateways. Yet, its relations to both French and German cities are problematic in terms of spatial continuity and accessibility. In order to question these issues and reveal Strasbourg's potential as a crossroads, the focus point of "THE SMART SWITCH" is the CroisiEurope terminal, a major stop for tourist cruises along the Rhine.