At present it's one of the most picturesque stadium sites across Germany, so where no fans of the proposed changes. But we're also not the ones to decide what's best for the future in Wuppertal, so here's the actual plan!

It's not often that we openly say we don't support a stadium plan. Obviously nobody asked, but still... we're no fans of the proposed redevelopment of Stadion am Zoo in Wuppertal, because we love how it looks now. Not the concrete terracing, of course, it's all about how the stadium fits into the green hillside of nearby zoo.

Fot: Kurrat (cc: by-nc-sa)

That said, it seems vast majority of people locally are very happy with the proposed development. Wuppertaler SV, the municipality and private partners of the Küpper Group all seem to have it worked out, even if we're only talking of a preliminary design at this stage.

Theoretically this project includes reconfiguration of only one grandstand but it actually means the whole stadium would change its standard and layout. First, let's list what's staying untouched: the historical main stand, with its monument-listed main building. Second, the two ends which were rebuilt entirely in 2005-2008.

The one grandstand expected to be rebuilt is the eastern opposite-straight. It won't change capacity from the current 23,000, but will move fans closer to the action.

Much more important than changes to the auditorium is what's planned around it. Circular building with 12,000m² of floor space would encompass three stands. It will provide new facilities for regular supporters, VIP boxes, offices for local foundation and numerous commercial outlets.

Their lease should help pay for the project's cost, expected to be covered privately and then recouped by the investor.

Additionally, the stadium's new layout will provide insulation from noise and lighting pollution with more enclosed composition and floodlights moved to new roof rather than masts. This should both improve acoustics and make the stadium less problematic for nearby residents. However, at this point no detailed analysis of the acoustic impact was presented.

Additionally, the entire new facility would be covered in photovoltaic panels, which are announced to supply enough clean energy to power the stadium and, on a daily basis, nearby zoo.

All in all, the stadium revamp is expected to cost some €30 million. Planning application is expected to be filed in 2018.