Waldbröl redevelops center with special paving system
For some time now, there has been a trend towards large-format paving elements in the renovation of paved surfaces. Particularly in urban areas, attempts are often made to achieve the desired linear design effect. The fact that this trend has now also arrived in the renovation of surfaces in rural areas is illustrated by the example of the renovation of one of the main thoroughfares through the town of Waldbröl in the Oberberg district. A 60 x 40 x 12 cm paving system was used to redesign the town center, which blends in visually with the surroundings of the small town and at the same time withstands the traffic loads.
All 64 districts of the market town, which lies around 64 km east of Cologne, have a combined population of just under 20,000. However, with only 315 inhabitants per square kilometer, the municipality is rather rural. When paving the inner-city areas, planners have so far tended to rely on small-format paving elements. This is now set to change with the renovation of Kaiserstrasse at the beginning of 2023. Mario Klein*, responsible for the construction department at the town of Waldbröl, explains the initial situation: “Kaiserstraße is a main road that runs through the middle of the town. The old pavement had been dilapidated for some time, particularly in the town center, and no longer presented an attractive picture. With the help of a new pavement, the town center was to be significantly upgraded. Once it was clear that the roadway would be resurfaced with asphalt, we looked for a fresh concrete paving for the sidewalks and side areas of the street that would create a uniform look andblend in with the village environment while still exuding a certain modernity. On the other hand, the new paving must also be able to withstand the loads caused by vehicles using the access roads to the stores. The side areas in particular are heavily burdened by deliveries from retailers,” says Klein.
Modula Plus from the Einstein plaster family
The choice fell on the Modula Plus paving system from the Einstein paving family. The planners opted for stones in 60×40, 40×20, 30×15, 30×20 and 15×15 cm formats with a thickness of 12 cm for the total area of approx. 2,200 m² to be renovated. “The mixture of large and smaller formats allows us to create a calm framework for the street space,” explains Mario Klein. “In addition, the finely washed surface of the sidewalks in diamond gray creates a very high-quality ambience.” An additional refinement: Some side areas were designed in the color sand beige boulevard. This has a very warm effect and provides a nice contrast to the sidewalks and roadway. Natural stone bands made of basalt paving provide additional relief, e.g. between the footpath and cycle path.
Optimum joint ensures stability and a clean look
This solution also offers a number of technical advantages: Thanks to its D-point joint technology, this system from the manufacturer BERDING BETON
When laying the stones, there is only minimal, if any, contact at the bottom edges of the stones. Unlike many other interlocking pavers with spacer or interlocking cam systems, the proportion of the surface where the stones touch remains very small. This avoids the often common crunchy installation and the joint or joint space required to absorb traffic loads is maintained. “This results in a very clean joint pattern,” continues Mario Klein. “Because there is always optimum force transmission between the stones, the system is able to buffer shear and horizontal forces via the joint material and transfer them evenly to the base layers. This ensures that the surface remains permanently undamaged – even if it is used by heavier vehicles.”
Even though Kaiserstrasse, which previously could be driven on in both directions, can now only be driven on in one lane after the renovation, the residents of Waldbröl are largely satisfied. The newly designed streetscape offers an enhanced quality of stay and shows that large-format paving elements can also be a very good solution in rural areas.
* Note: The planner responsible for the market town of Waldbröl was originally Mr. Hartmut Schröder, who passed away in April 2022.
