Urban plate tectonics

The process of activating a riverfront is multifaceted, encompassing elements like accessibility, the presence of support facilities, and its integration with the city core. Specifically, the juncture where the riverfront merges with the city center offers intriguing insights for potential access and expansion.

The area near the banks of the Rhine, once sealed off by medieval walls, underwent a transformation. By the early 21st century, with enhanced accessibility and water quality, it evolved into a vital public space after being integrated with the city’s center. Now, the riverside is a bustling hub where residents swim, take a walk, dine, and interact socially, strengthening its ties to Basel’s central areas. Additionally, buildings flanking the river are aiming to foster a more dynamic link by vacating their ground levels.

In this exhibit, MIDERI ARCHITEKTEN presents sensory videos capturing the Rhine’s flow side by side with desks detailing riverfront analyses. Through a blend of maps, visuals, and narratives, they shed light on the Rhine’s diverse influences, be they historical, cultural, sociological, geographical, or economic, and how the cultural communities along its expanse interact.