Architect：KCAP

Location：Osakaallee, 20457 Hamburg, Germany; | ;View Map

Category：Masterplans;Cities

The masterplan for Hamburg's HafenCity by KCAP/ASTOC defines the large-scale transformation of the former inner city port area. Its flexibility ensures a high degree of adaptability to future changes thanks to the 'conditions of freedom' foreseen by the framework for the development process for a resilient future-proof living and working environment in close relationship to the water.

The design won the internationally recognised competition in 1999 and the development is still ongoing. It will be completed during the 2020s and enhances an adaptive approach, especially regarding climate change and how it affects the appearance and utilisation of the urban waterfront. 

An internationally recognised competition win for KCAP, ASTOC Architects and Planners in 1999, the masterplan formulated the goal of using HafenCity with its 157 ha, for an economical, social, cultural, and urban economic transformation in answer to the relocation of the inner city port operations to the container port on the Unterelbe that since the 1990s provided new space for living and working by the water: what was to be built in HafenCity would shape Hamburg's centre for many decades, even the coming century. Therefore, the new district had to be particularly future-proof and develop a model for the European inner city of the 21st century. Simultaneously, the masterplan's flexibility ensured that there would be a high degree of adaptability to future changes.

The plan for HafenCity, to be completed during the 2020s, enhances an adaptive approach, especially regarding climate change and how it affects the appearance and utilisation of the urban waterfront. All taking into account the strong heritage of the nearby UNESCO site 'Speicherstadt'. A heritage that influences the new city district's aesthetic appearance and, together with the presence of water, contributes to maritime identity and overall attractiveness of HafenCity. Custom-made design interventions restore and preserve historic port structures, securing historic quays along the water to serve urban life as pleasant public places. The public character of many ground floor uses, and the fine-grained mix of functions guarantees diversity and openness in the new district.

HafenCity with its eight sub-districts in development is being implemented in phases, bringing together a wide range of urban planning typologies to build attractive places to live and work. Urban functions as culture and education, leisure, tourism, and retail support the area's liveliness. Nowadays, more than 3.000 residential units are completed and approximately 14.000 people work in HafenCity as a whole, employed by more than 730 companies. Sustainable urban manufacturing, innovation, and environmental-friendly entrepreneurship are encouraged. Thoughtfully designed spaces for public interaction forge social interaction and exchange between a diverse range of residents, workers, and visitors.

Aware of the consequences of global climate change demanding an environmentally balanced relationship for living with water in HafenCity, a series of strategic interventions instead of massive and costly water defenses allow flooding in extreme cases. The flood protection concept originates on a terp solution: the elevation of infrastructure and buildings above flood level. While promenades at water level serving as emergency water storage to balance high water peaks, preserving the historical quays and port structures. Water management has become a pivotal element of the project.

The masterplan included integrated and mobility-based planning from an early stage of the project. Thus, it was possible to expand and densify the city, create more spaces for activity and greenery, and strengthen communities while reducing traffic and emissions. Comprehensive planning and flexibility makes HafenCity a safe and lively new urban waterfront district in Germany's second large city.

HafenCity Facts

Expansion of Hamburg City area by 40%

Overall area: 157 ha of former port and industrial land

Land area: 127 ha

Water area: 55 ha

HafenCity is made up of ten different neighborhoods

Net building land: 60 ha

Office space for 20.000 jobs 

Proportion of public open spaces and publicly accessible private open spaces: 38%

10,5 km dockside promenade/3,1 km Elbe embankment

approx. 7.500 homes (approx. 1.500–2.000 subsidized) for approx. 15.000 residents

approx. 5.000 students

Building density: 3,7–6,1 FSI (floor space index)

Residential density: approx. 118/ha (land area)

Employee density: approx. 354/ha (land area)

80 projects completed; 61 projects under construction or planned

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