November 6, 2025
2656 Open Space Concept Olten
2656 Open Space Concept Olten
Location:
Olten, Switzerland
Project Type:
Open Space, Nature, and Climate Concept (FNK)
Project Period:
2024–2025
Client:
City of Olten, Directorate of Construction
Planning Team:
Studio Vulkan, berchtoldkrass space & options, OePlan, s2r
Photography:
Studio Vulkan
Details
Linking Landscapes, Cooling Cities
The Open Space, Nature, and Climate Concept (FNK) of the City of Olten is the result of an integrated planning approach aimed at enhancing the quality of open spaces, strengthening ecological potential, and improving the urban climate – while actively contributing to climate adaptation. A central instrument within the concept is the open space portfolio, which encompasses all public and publicly accessible private spaces and serves as a strategic basis for the development and upgrading of green infrastructure.
The portfolio identifies opportunities to enhance existing spaces and emphasizes the ecological and functional connectivity of natural and recreational areas within the urban fabric. It outlines targeted measures to improve the urban climate, including interventions in high-traffic zones and the facilitation of cold air corridors flowing from the urban periphery toward the city center. For heat-stressed areas, the concept proposes actions such as greening, de-sealing of surfaces, and the creation of shaded places to enhance local quality of life.
Promoting urban biodiversity and improving low-threshold access to open spaces are also core objectives. The FNK follows a pragmatic approach that combines short-term “quick wins” with long-term strategic interventions. Through close integration with other municipal planning tools – such as the urban densification strategy and energy planning – synergies are leveraged and implementation processes streamlined.
The concept is being presented to the public and relevant stakeholders through an open dialogue process, ensuring broad acceptance and support for its implementation.