A new bridge for the historic city centre of Lübeck

A new footbridge, the Stadtgrabenbrücke, has been designed to address congestion at key entrances to Lübeck's historic city center while adhering to strict preservation and accessibility standards. The bridge, commissioned in 2021, ensures a minimum 5-meter clearance above water and a 3% gradient toward the old town island, balancing functionality with historical integrity. Located in the moat’s nature conservation area, it symbolizes a connection between past and future, serving both tourists and residents. The study highlights the challenges of integrating modern infrastructure within UNESCO-protected sites while preserving visual and ecological sensitivity.

Schäfer, C., LEZIUS, H., Pfisterer, M., & Vielhaber, T. (2025). A new bridge for the historic city centre of Lübeck. Footbridge Chur 2025, Chur: In Situ. https://doi.org/10.24904/footbridge2025.62