The optimism of modern urbanism can turn hollow when cities - instead of growing - stagnate or even shrink. For the re-use of a giant gravel-pit in the small, shrinking town of Olten we have created a strategy anticipating, among other things, its own failure. We used planning methods, which guarantee an extreme flexibility in use and density and developed a concept for a step-by-step marketing of the real estate. The crucial urban qualities are already secured with the initial investments and remain independent of the future development. Even if all ambitions fail, not a dysfunctional enclave will remain but a connective landscape park.

Boomtown, Suburb or shrinking city? Olten’s future is uncertain...