Article Highlights

In the picturesque city of Lucerne — renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture and stunning natural surroundings — an impactful urban transformation is underway. In collaboration with the City of Lucerne, Parkly is helping reimagine the streetscape by converting underutilised urban areas, particularly parking spaces, into vibrant, green, and multifunctional public zones that invite people to stay, meet, and move differently through the city.

The challenge

Lucerne’s commitment to promoting walkability includes an ambitious plan to enhance the quality of urban life in the city centre. The challenge was rooted in a streetscape that had long prioritised cars: most of the street space was dedicated to traffic and parking, leaving limited room for pedestrians, greenery, or social life. This imbalance reduced the street’s attractiveness and limited its potential as a place to linger.

Parkly was commissioned to introduce a practical yet inviting design solution that could rebalance the street space, encourage walking and leisure, and remain flexible enough to support future transformation as the area evolves.

The solution

Parkly responded with a selection of urban furniture, designed to be combined and form an installation in the space. These products are designed to be:

• Modular and Adaptable: Easily reconfigured to suit different urban spaces and changing needs. After the first phase, the modules were relocated to another street undergoing its own urban transformation process.
  
  
• Multifunctional: Serving as seating, green spaces, and social gathering points.
  
  
• Aesthetic and Practical: Enhancing the visual appeal of the area while providing a practical function.

Data collected post-implementation shows:

• Increased duration of use of the transformed space.
• Broad demographic engagement, from young adults to seniors.
• High foot traffic during peak times, indicating successful integration into the daily lives of residents.

“The new spaces have brought a new life to Lucerne’s city centre, making it a more attractive destination for both tourists and locals,“ says a city official. Residents echo this sentiment, noting the positive changes in their daily routines and interactions.

Urban revival 

Enhancing attractiveness: The project has significantly increased the area’s appeal, drawing more visitors and enriching the local community’s lifestyle.

Project flexibility: The adaptability of Parkly’s designs allows for ongoing modifications and enhancements based on community feedback and use patterns.

Environmental and aesthetic contributions: The addition of greenery not only improves the appearance of the space, but also contributes to the city’s sustainability goals, helping reduce urban heat and promote biodiversity.

From temporary to permanent: The tactical transformation of the street paved the way for permanent pedestrianisation, with implementation now underway. The future street will offer spaces for socialising, walking, and cycling, alongside significantly increased greenery — including the planting of 30 new trees — transforming it into a more sustainable urban environment. The phased approach proved to be an economical and effective way to test ideas, evaluate impact, and build momentum before committing to the final redesign. Explore the project here (DE).

---

Get involved:
Interested in seeing similar transformations in your area or collaborating with Parkly on a project? Have a look at one of our other project cases where we enhanced a riverside. 

Or, be in touch to explore how Parkly’s modular urban furniture can propel your transformation project forward.