Europe
Cover Image
Report Summary:

In the pursuit of transforming urban spaces into vibrant, sustainable, and people-centred environments, the city of Frankfurt has embarked on an ambitious journey to redefine the iconic Mainkai riverfront. As the Main river weaves its way through the heart of the city, the Mainkai holds immense potential to become a hub of activity, culture, and connection.

With a focus on sustainable urban planning, mobility, cultural enrichment, and holistic well-being, the ULI expert panel was tasked with providing strategic recommendations to guide the redevelopment of the Mainkai.

The panel proposed three pillars of recommendations for transforming the Mainkai urban space into a vibrant, sustainable, and people-centred environment. These consist of three phases:

Phase A: Vision and Strategy

1. Mainkai as a catalyst propelling broader urban development

2. Align with regional and citywide development plans

3. Stakeholder engagement and community communication 

Phase B: Create an Iconic Presence

4. Emphasise placemaking and public art

5. Integrate blue and green infrastructure

6. Prioritise active mobility and reimagine the Bahnhofsviertel

Phase C: Project Implementation

7. Establish a dedicated authority for project development

8. Branding and image projection

9. Phased planning approach

Report Summary: In the pursuit of transforming urban spaces into vibrant, sustainable, and people-centred environments, the city of Frankfurt has embarked on an ambitious journey to redefine the iconic Mainkai riverfront. As the Main river weaves its way through the heart of the city, the Mainkai holds immense potential to become a hub of activity, culture, and connection.

With a focus on sustainable urban planning, mobility, cultural enrichment, and holistic well-being, the ULI expert panel was tasked with providing strategic recommendations to guide the redevelopment of the Mainkai.

The panel proposed three pillars of recommendations for transforming the Mainkai urban space into a vibrant, sustainable, and people-centred environment. These consist of three phases:

Phase A: Vision and Strategy

1. Mainkai as a catalyst propelling broader urban development

2. Align with regional and citywide development plans

3. Stakeholder engagement and community communication 

Phase B: Create an Iconic Presence

4. Emphasise placemaking and public art

5. Integrate blue and green infrastructure

6. Prioritise active mobility and reimagine the Bahnhofsviertel

Phase C: Project Implementation

7. Establish a dedicated authority for project development

8. Branding and image projection

9. Phased planning approach

RELATED
Report

Dublin, Ireland

Dublin’s North East Inner City (NEIC) area has many advantages including a city centre location, existing building stock, a vibrant community and adjacency to the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) and other areas that have recently seen ...
Report

ULI Europe: Haven-Stad, Amsterdam

In February 2019, the City of Amsterdam invited ULI to convene a three-day advisory services workshop in Haven-Stad. The City requested the experts’ recommendations on how to accelerate the redevelopment of Haven-Stad, its ambitious plan to transform...
Topics