Cologne: Car-free Deutzer Freiheit put to the test

Fewer cars on the streets of the city centre. This is what the city of Cologne wants when it gives the starting signal for the twelve-month traffic trial for a car-free Deutzer Freiheit. After Ehrenstraße, it will be the next shopping mile on which pedestrians and cyclists will now have priority. This was decided at the end of 2021, following a citizens' petition by an initiative of residents of the West Rhine quarter. 

For the time being, Cologne has established a pedestrian zone. Parking spaces were also eliminated as part of the project. Instead, so-called "city terraces" are to be built in their place. More seating and planters will also improve the appearance of the boulevard. The changes made will of course also mean a change in traffic flow for the neighbourhood. Until permanent signage is installed, mobile signage will initially indicate the new traffic routing. Although not as effective as an environmental zone, the transformation of the street into a largely car-free zone should lead to less noise and air pollution.  

Only residents will be allowed to drive on Deutzer Freiheit during the trial. Likewise, access to the street will remain free for bicycles. Only the crossing is otherwise allowed for motorists, so that the adjacent residential streets can still be reached. Delivery traffic will also be restricted, as it can only enter the pedestrian zone on weekdays from 6 to 11 am. Only the section between Neuhöfferstraße and Graf-Geßler-Straße is excluded from the project. This section is intended to ensure the flow of traffic, as vehicles can only leave Neuhöfferstraße via Deutzer Freiheit. There too, however, the street space is to gain in amenity quality through the conversion of parking spaces.  

Over the next twelve months, the traffic experiment is to show whether the car-free measures applied have worked successfully. In particular, the aim is to analyse and compare the traffic situation before and during the trial phase. It is also important to examine the effects on the quality of life of the residents. According to the city itself, the aim of the test is precisely to examine and evaluate the "effects of a car-free Deutz on the handling of neighbourhood traffic, on the quality of life of local people, as well as on shops and restaurants". In order to involve citizens even more in the decisions, surveys and panel discussions will take place during the trial phase.  

Although it all started with a citizens' initiative, not all Cologne residents welcome the new project. And even though for some the advantages in terms of traffic and noise reduction are already clear, many residents are disappointed with the progress so far.  As things stand, they say, Deutzer Freiheit still seems unfinished and even aesthetically unappealing. Fierce discussions about the new appearance of the Mile had in fact arisen on the net. The most criticised aspects are the colour scheme and the inconvenient - and hopefully temporary - placement of mobile toilet cubicles.  

Similar projects in other German cities have also come in for criticism. For example, the transformation of Berlin's Friedrichstraße into a car-free zone has already shown the possible disadvantages of such an initiative. A study has shown that the car-free zone has significantly reduced the number of visitors and has resulted in fewer customers for the shops located there. 

However, if the traffic trial in Cologne proves successful and meets with great approval among the population, the pedestrian zone will most likely remain permanent. Thus, Deutzer Freiheit could be the next great example of successful cooperation between citizens and city authorities for a more people-friendly and environmentally friendly city centre.