Figure 1. Altrips’ main street/ escape route. Source: Unknown. Altrip in der Pfalz (Photo), https://www.pfalz-info.com/altrip-essen-trinken-uebernachten/
By Marie Partzsch
The Pfälzer Rheingraben (Palatinate Rhine Plain) lies on the western side of the River Rhine and stretches for around 50 kilometres in a particularly flat area of Germany. This region is characterised by a fairly warm climate and has therefore been inhabited since the Stone Age. For better economic utilisation, the Rhine was straightened in the 19th century and further widened for industrial shipping in the 20th century. Today, the metropolitan region is known for its strong economic performance. The three cities of Mannheim, Heidelberg and Ludwigshafen are the main business centres.
When the Rhine was straightened, heavily curved sections of the river were cut off. The last shortened branch of the river was in the immediate vicinity of the small town of Altrip. The increased erosion lowered the water level of the Rhine, so that shallower dams had to be built on the banks and the towns near the river were less threatened by flooding. As a result, more agriculture could be practised in most cases and the towns gained inhabitants. In addition to agricultural use, many species-rich ecosystems consisting of forests, marshes and meadows were able to survive in the immediate vicinity of the Rhine over time. This landscape is an important recreational area for tourists as well as for the inhabitants of the larger towns. I have many memories of nature and the small towns on the banks of the Rhine, whether on a bike tour at the weekend or in biology lessons at primary school. As a child, I found the times of high water particularly exciting, when the water, grey in colour from the sand that had been washed up from the immediate banks, would shoot wildly through the river and even drag large tree trunks with it. I have many memories of nature and the small towns on the banks of the Rhine, whether on a bike tour at the weekend or in biology lessons at primary school. As a child, I found the times of high water particularly exciting, when the water, grey in colour from the sand that had been washed up from the immediate banks, would shoot wildly through the river and even drag large tree trunks with it.
In addition to dams that have protected the surrounding villages for centuries, polders have been created in many places that can be flooded in a targeted manner in the event of a flood to reduce the flow of water. However, as is the case throughout Europe, the landscape along the Rhine is repeatedly affected by floods and periods of drought due to climate change. As a result, the existing protective measures are not sufficient and solutions for water management must continue to be sought.
About this Blog
This is the last blog post of the series of 23 blogs prepared by graduate students and early career professionals who shared their views on the future of heritage and landscape planning.
The writers of these blog posts participated in the Heriland Blended Intensive Programme “Heritage and the Planning of Landscapes” in October 2024 in Gothenburg, Sweden.
If you have enjoyed this series of blog posts and want to take part in this year’s Blended Intensive Program, click on the link below:
Blended Intensive Program
The new Polder
The state of Rhineland-Palatinate is planning another such polder south of the town of Altrip. The planned retention area would cover an area of more than 300 hectares. The project has not yet been realised, mainly due to strong opposition from local residents. On the one hand, flooding of the planned area would affect the agricultural land of many farmers and thus cause a considerable reduction in the value of their properties. While in the cities of Mannheim and Ludwigshafen, properties close to the river are being converted into lucrative residential areas. This creates a feeling of disadvantage among local residents. The planned flooding area would also have a major impact on ecosystems. The main point of discussion, however, is that in the event of flooding, there would only be one possible escape route for the residents of Altrip to leave the flood zone.
Nevertheless, the responsible state office is still sticking to the plans for the polder and insists on the obligation to provide solidary flood protection. In addition, two further escape routes would have been built in the event of an emergency. After thirty years of conflict, frustration on both sides seems to be very high, which is reflected in regular protests.
Another threat is that the height of the dam that currently protects Altrip is about 70 cm too low. Altrip’s citizens’ initiative has therefore called for the dam to be raised to the required minimum height. The federal state only wants to realise this if the citizens of Altrip agree to the construction of the polder. The citizens’ initiative perceives this response as blackmail.
A new Starting Point
The local landscape includes numerous agricultural and historical areas. But there is also a large amount of intangible heritage. This should definitely be recognised before negotiating with the citizens of Altrip about flood protection. Historical flood events on the Upper Rhine have always had a strong impact on Altrip and have repeatedly cut the town off from flooding in the past. Floods led to illnesses and sometimes even cost lives. Time and again, the water damage also caused considerable financial losses. The fear of being damaged by the next flood and the trust in a safe dam system are part of the historical heritage of the people of Altrip.
Many people in Mannheim and Ludwigshafen also live and work in the immediate vicinity of the Rhine. The office where I work is also located directly on the banks of the river, so I can watch the water level rise and fall. What I found so fascinating as a child also inspires respect and concern in me today. I can well understand that the idea of being trapped by the river worries the people of Altrip.
Of course, many other aspects characterise the history and cultural heritage of the place, such as historic building structures or nature reserves with a high level of biodiversity or areas that have been used for agriculture for centuries. However, a functioning water management system, as is the case in many historic landscapes along the Rhine, is paramount to safeguarding this heritage.
An essential component of the concept for cultural heritage and also in the work of architects and urban planners is the promotion of cooperation between all parties involved. The discussion about the new polder shows that flood protection is extremely important to both parties. This could be a starting point for a goal-oriented discussion in which a team of heritage planners, urban planners and flood experts could possibly act as a mediator between the stakeholders to develop sustainable concepts and put the dispute about the polder to the side.
Bibliography
Klose, N., (2024), Hochwasserschutz: Bürgerinitiative lädt zur Polder-Radtour in Die Rheinpfalz. Accessed on 01st of November, 2024; published on 24th of October, 2024. https://www.rheinpfalz.de/lokal/rhein-pfalz-kreis_artikel,-hochwasserschutz-b%C3%BCrgerinitiative-l%C3%A4dt-zur-polder-radtour-_arid,5705708.html
SWR, (2024), Umstrittener Hochwasser Polder – Bürger in Altrip sind besorgt in Südwestrundfunk. Accessed on 04th of November, 2024; published on 18th of April, 2024.
Schneider, Wolfgang (2002), Vom Hochwasser gepeinigt in HGV Altrip. Accessed on 04th of November, 2024; published on 20th of August, 2022. http://www.hgv-altrip.de/index.php/heimat-und-geschichte/alle-beitraege/985-vom-hochwasser-gepeinigt.html
Dipl.-Biol. Ness, Andreas, SGD Süd (2023), Planänderung der Hochwasserrückhaltung Waldsee / Altrip / Neuhofen in UVP Verbund. Accessed on 07th of November, 2024; published in March, 2023.
About the author
Marie Partzsch grew up in Mannheim and studied architecture in Karlsruhe. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she began working at the Mannheim architecture firm Schmucker + Partner. She is currently studying architecture in Wiesbaden with a focus on ‘Building, Revitalisation and Transformation’, which concentrates particularly on dealing with existing building structures. Due to the constant close contact with the river Rhine and the nearby cities, she developed the desire to examine this area more closely and to apply both the architectural perspective and newly acquired views by participating in the Heriland Blended Intensive Programme on “Heritage and Landscapes Futures“ in Gothenburg, Sweden, in October 2024.
Contact the author: marie.partzsch@student.hs-rm.de