Langeoog - Break new ground

Our proposal for the future development of Langeoog is a site-specific and holistic approach that respects natural limitations and uses existing potentials. The intention of our designed path through nature is to create an image and initiate a process that builds up the economy, raises awareness for the wadden sea and establishes a sustainable tourism.

The main aspect of our concept is the experience of the unexplored diverse landscape of Langeoog. This huge potential could provide an image as a nature island with a focus on recreation and recovery of the peoples connection with nature. In addition this could consolidate the knowledge and awareness for the wadden sea habitat. To reach this poetic approach the main idea is a considerate path that enables a natural experience. It guides through scenic transitions, from salt meadows to various dunes, from the grassy vales to the beach. In each section the path reacts to the context by different styles and materials. To activate all senses during the stroll we proposed special sites like a viewing platform, a listening swale that get the users to focus on noises because of an absent view or a platform as a starting point for a barefoot wadden sea tour. This new path serves as an extension of the existing routes. For this unique experience the off-season is most suitable due to less visitor attendance and the possibility to feel the elements. It lead us to our second tool, gently activating the currently unpopular time from October to March. Complementing the aspect from an economical point of view, a survey about the income potential of the local hotel business helped us to assess the impact of this seasonal activation. Results showed that a raised visitor demand of 10 % during off-season could increase the annual turnover by 7 % without investing in resource straining buildings. As an expansion of the accommodation possibilities and a 24/7 experience of nature, we added autarkic guest houses to our concept. Amidst impressive scenery they could offer a puristic opportunity of living in balance with nature. Accompanied by further small urban interventions on the island, this unconventional approach initiates a sustainable and forward-looking development accompanied by holistic synergy effects on ecological, economic and social levels. With our proposal we express our belief that an urbanistic problem not always calls for an actual building, but for a site-specific and analysis-based solution.