Urban greening Vogesenplatz in Basel to be planted with twelve potted shrubs

From Monday, the Department of Construction and Transport (BVD) will be installing twelve new planters with perennials and shrubs on Vogesenplatz in Basel's St. Johann district. The cost of 360,000 francs will be borne by the value-added tax fund, as the BVD announced on Friday.

The perennials and shrubs should reach a height of three meters, provide shade and "ensure a more pleasant microclimate", according to the press release.

Vogesenplatz at St. Johann station was completed in 2010 and has no lawns or trees. Since then, there have been repeated requests and demands from the neighborhood for more shade and greenery. Additional trees have already been planted in the streets around Vogesenplatz and borders have been landscaped, according to the BVD.

"Real" planting only possible along the square

Over the next few years, it plans to plant eight new trees along the station building and two on the north side of the square. This is as part of the conversion of the St. Johann station streetcar stop to make it accessible to the disabled.

However, it is not possible to plant permanent trees in the open center of Vogesenplatz, as it is completely underbuilt with a parking garage, bicycle parking, the northern bypass and a pipeline tunnel, according to the statement.

The BVD has already planted tree pots in other asphalted areas in the city, such as Freie Strasse in the spring of this year.