Wilmes, who is in charge of both urban development and commerce in the capital, thinks a “historic opportunity has come to finally turn the space into a real public square.”
With 11,700 residents, the Gare district is the third most populated area in Luxembourg City, only topped by southern Bonnevoie and Belair. Wilmes hopes to involve local people in the reorganisation process so that they can influence the way in which the revitalised square takes shape.
A similar initiative to involve the people was already implemented with the new Place de Paris, which was inaugurated in June 2021. At the time, Luxembourg City councilman Patrick Goldschmit (DP) explained how civic engagement helped make the square “a more dynamic living space” and above all “functional”. Since then, the square has seen a number of cultural events and has become the home of a weekly market.
However, there is one big difference between Place de Paris and Place de la Gare, which makes it difficult to execute a similar implementation of civic engagement: the latter square is not managed by the city, but by the national railway company CFL.
Earlier this week, CFL officials announced plans for their new headquarters, which is to be located at Place de la Gare.
The new building will accommodate up to 1,200 employees, explained spokesperson Alessandra Nonnweiler: “Naturally, we are looking at different ways that we can make use of the square just outside the new HQ.”
Nonnweiler further elaborated on a few ideas, such as the option to construct an underground storage site for bicycles. However, she also stressed that no final decision has yet been taken.
In the past, the DP and CSV coalition in charge of the capital has put great emphasis on revitalising public squares and involving local residents in the planning process. Both parties intend to continue with this philosophy and hope to benefit from the results in the 2023 municipal elections.
