Cologne Bastei Uberring Foot and Cycle Bridge Competition

In 2024, a two-stage international competition was launched to create a new pedestrian and cycle connection over the Rhine in Cologne, connecting two green spaces: the Theodor-Heuss-Anlage Park and the Rhine Park.

The city's existing bridges over the Rhine are representative of different eras of mobility: the Hohenzollern Bridge symbolises the railway revolution, while the Zoo Bridge marks the rise of the automobile. The new Bastei bridge will symbolise the choice of active travel in Cologne, providing an attractive user experience encouraging this modal shift.

The 418m-long bridge draws inspiration from both surrounding bridges: it adopts the asymmetric pier arrangement of the Zoo Bridge and incorporates the grand arches of the Hohenzollern Bridge for its main structure. The bridge’s asymmetry reflects the distinct urban characteristics of the two Rhine banks.

The larger arch lands on the hard, urbanised edge of the Konrad Adenauer with its high-rise buildings, while the smaller arch meets the soft, natural banks of the Rhine park. The arches are carefully designed to frame the city skyline and preserve unobstructed views of the beloved Cologne cathedral from the river banks and neighbouring Zoo bridge. Painted in 'Cologne Green', the pair of arches form a 'green ribbon' visually linking the two parks whilst paying respect to the distinctive 1924 Bastei building on the west bank.