The River Rhine running along Bonn’s east bank is unique to the city and its’ people. The promenade is used in vastly differently ways by many different user groups daily. Cyclists travel up and down the river and share the same path as people out for a stroll taking in the beautiful scenery across the river. However, path sharing causes one of the biggest problems in the promenades design.

 

After finding the problem with the promenade, there can be a discussion on improvements. By examining the promenade, I found two main demographics using the site. The two demographics groups include commuters and a leisure group. We can now start to find solutions to the promenade and separate the user groups based on how each individual travels. Commuters are using the promenade to get from one place to another. The leisure group is using the promenade as a scenic route to slow down and create an experience. Both uses are adequate but separating the two groups is important to the safety and welfare to both users. People wanting to get an experience out of the Rhine’s promenade do not want to worry about fast moving cyclists or runners, and the cyclists and runners do not want slower traffic in their way while commuting or exercising.

 

We are making a safer city to commuters all around. Separating the two traveling speeds creates a safer environment for both user groups. Many of the citizens have said they would take extra time out of their day to travel along the Rhine over taking a direct route to their destination. The promenade already separates the cyclists from the vehicular travel. From there we need to separate further the two travel speeds along the Rhine. I designed a 20-foot-wide leisure path for the slower user groups and accommodate more people going at vastly different speeds. The wider walkway will accompany both user groups in emergencies such as when the river floods since sits higher and further back from the river. The commuting route is 10 feet wide accommodating users of approximately the same speed. The width is enough for users to pass comfortably going in opposite directions. By accommodating both demographics the promenade creates for a diverse, purposeful, and safe route for everyone to enjoy.

 

The design of the promenade follows closely with the old promenade, mimicking the rivers natural bends and curves. The paths will be pressed against the rivers bank for all seven kilometers. A strategically buffered area separates the two paths and distinctly designates each path to its’ demographic; one for leisure and the other for commuting. Since the seven kilometers of the promenade is vastly different, there are three different designs for each area along the promenade with similar transition areas where the paths will cross each other. The nine transition zones are marked on the map with the red circle and number in them, each area will have 1 of 3 designs designated to the area.