Hamburg & Other Case Studies
HafenCity, Hamburg
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Similarities to Boston: The South Boston Waterfront was also an industrial area which has been redeveloped in recent years. However, Boston has not adopted the stringent sustainability goals of Hamburg. rexBoston can utilize the positive growth trends in the city while advocating for strategies to increase climate and social resiliency.
South Boston Waterfront 0.62 square miles area 5.5 miles waterfront paths 17.8 million ft2 new GFA 16 projects completed 24 projects underway 6,636 new residential units 42,000 projected employees 12,000 projected residents
Hafencity 0.9 square miles area 6.5 miles waterfront paths 24.9 million ft2 new GFA 62 projects completed 70 projects underway 6,500-7,000 new residential units 45,000 projected employees 13,000 projected residents
Founded 1863 (orig. Sandtorhafen) Population 2016 3,275 Municipal Area 0.9 square miles
GFA, Projects, Residential Source: BPDA (since 2000) Projections Source: 2013 census data times growth trends of employment and population from IB 2030 for a 2030 date
Source: HafenCity Hamburg (since 2000) Projections upon completion of all existing projects
During roughly the same timeline as the IBA Hamburg 2013, a parallel but distinct process was occurring accross the river Elbe: the renewal of HafenCity. The historic industrial port became underutilized with the construction of a port across the Elbe to accommodate new shipping methods. After several years of studies and planning, a masterplan was approved on 2000, setting down guiding principles for development.
With generous public space on the first floor, the raised grades of streets and paths prevent flooding while giving public access to the waterfront.
While not an IBA or expo, the plans considered a district-wide approach, rather than focusing on just a few exemplary buildings. the framework required flood protection, public space, programmatic variety, and other principles. The example shows what proper zoning and optimistic vision can do to transform an industrial space into a vibrant urban area.
residence office road
food shop
path
raised level flood protection
path Historic warehouses preserved by moving uses out of lower floors along the canal.
The Unilever Headquarters
Marco Polo Plaza.