Germany: Zoo Frankfurt Reveals New Future Concept ZOOKUNFT2030+

The Zoo Frankfurt recently presented a new concept study called “ZOOKUNFT2030+“ to the city of Frankfurt am Main, which implies new design plans for the north-east and south-west areas of the zoo. In cooperation zoo employees from Zoo Frankfurt, the Frankfurt Zoological Society and designers of The Logical Zoo have worked out four different aspects which the study is based on: Experiencing animals, saving nature, reaching out to people and working together. “We have a strong slogan, ‘experiencing animals – saving nature‘. For me and my team these are two promises we would like to keep. We want people to experience the ‘fascination of wildlife‘ […],“ says Dr. Miguel Casares. According to Dr. Ina Hartwig, Head of Cultural Affairs, a new concept for Zoo Frankfurt is overdue: “The buildings are outdated and do neither respond to the needs of our animals nor to the expectations of our visitors!“

The plans for the north-east area include a 6,725 square meter large Amazon tropical hall, a 7,900 square meter large outdoor area, which is thematically created like the neotropical region, and a 3,350 square meter large Europe area. A 10,200 square meter large Africa hall, with indoor facilities for herbivorous animals and a Kongo and Savannah trail outside, will arise in the south-west area. Additionally the zoo will see the emergence of two restaurants, a kiosk, a new playground and a petting zoo. The reconstruction will be divided in three phases, which are supposed to be completed by 2032. In a next step, a mastereplan is to be created. (eap)