From Railyard to Reptile Refuge – mozaik author Ajita Chowhan recalls the 30-year transformation of the Erlenmatte in Basel.
Erlenmattpark was completed in March 2026, marking a significant milestone for Basel. This park, located in the newly developed Erlenmatt district, combines local recreation with nature conservation, offering a sanctuary for both residents and visitors. It features a recreational area for Basel locals and serves as a vital habitat for various species. The city nursery (Stadtgärtnerei) plans to introduce a signposted path to educate visitors about the park’s natural values and rare species. It has recreated landscape structures similar to natural river floodplains, including gravel and sandy areas, stone formations, cavities, and pioneer vegetation. These diverse habitats support reptiles, birds, insects, and other species.
To understand this transformation, we spoke with Christoph Hügli, Co-Head of the Nature and Landscape Department, Green Planning, Urban Gardening. Hügli says: «The original area was a railway station for containers and goods. It was all asphalt and train tracks, with little green space. The idea was to construct a neighborhood where people could live alongside new green spaces. It was an interesting combination of urban living and nature.» Esther Keller, Head of the Department of Construction and Transport, emphasizes collaboration between diverse experts as crucial. «It was a collaboration between architects, landscape architects, and biologists.»
47 acres of train yard
Historically, the Erlenmatt area, south of the Wiesenkreisel, was a freight and marshalling yard for Deutsche Bahn for over a century. This 19 hectare (about 47 acres) area was largely unknown to locals until the mid-1990s when Deutsche Bahn ceased operations in Basel, prompting discussions about its future. A cultural-gastronomic community called «nt/area» emerged, shaping the area’s identity.
Two urban planning competitions in 1996 and 2001 inspired the name «Erlenmatt,» referencing the nearby Langen Erlen. The winning project from the second competition, developed by Ernst Niklaus Fausch Partner AG, was refined through collaboration with landowners and the cantonal building construction and planning office. This planning laid the foundation for the Erlenmatt district and its park, realized over 15 years in three construction phases. The first phase, built alongside the district’s initial residential buildings, was inaugurated on April 9, 2011, with an Erlenmattfest.
Nature conservation was central to the project, significantly influencing its development. The former freight station provided an ideal habitat for rare plants and animals, thriving in the track area and surrounding areas for over a century. Open gravel areas and nutrient-poor soils created perfect conditions for these species. After railway operations ceased, numerous species of conservation concern were identified and listed on Red Lists. In collaboration with biologist Martin Frei, a nature conservation project was integrated with construction.
The integration of living spaces within this historical site is another highlight. Keller remarked, «We aimed for a balance—housing developments alongside green surroundings for interaction. We wanted to preserve the area’s unique biodiversity, providing habitats for reptiles and insects that favor dry, sunny spaces.»
These valuable habitats formed the basis for the park’s design, with clearly defined nature conservation zones and ecological networking corridors. This approach ensures the long-term survival of rare species. The park’s design incorporates diverse habitats within the new district’s green spaces, providing a haven for these species.
One key feature of Erlenmattpark is its embrace of biodiversity. Hügli described, «From the southern to the northern part of the park, the atmosphere becomes wilder, with more structures for biodiversity to thrive.» The park’s design ensures that «grasshoppers, butterflies, and even reptiles find a less disturbed habitat.»
Raymond Vogel Landschaftsarchitektur, responsible for park design, established a visionary basis for the project. Terrain modeling, creating «cushions» to represent natural settlement stages, proved effective. Open gravel areas, steep slopes, and structured habitats offer ideal conditions for rare species. Steep slopes also serve as natural barriers, controlling visitor access and protecting natural areas.
The park’s creation involved approximately 27 million francs in land acquisition and public green space development.
Ajita Chowhan is a member of the mozaik Vorstand. She writes regularly for mozaik in english and she publishes a newsletter «Neighbourhood News» in the region of Basel: www.theglocalmedia.com/
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