Frequently asked questions

How can I rent or buy accommodation in HafenCity? How green is the district? And what are the responsibilities of HafenCity Hamburg GmbH? Answers to frequently asked questions

Mobility

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Why doesn’t the U4 line have any overground sections?

Before the final route of the new U4 underground line was decided, alternatives with an overground layout were also analyzed. There were important arguments against realizing the above-ground version.

A flying junction, double the height of the present railroad on stilts, would have had to have been built between Rödingsmarkt and Baumwall stations. A third rail track would also have been needed, which would have forced the demolition of the historic Rödingsmarkt station. At Kaispeicher A, the site of the future Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall, the track would have had to have been furnished with expensive protection against impact with ships - which would have caused huge disruptions to ship traffic, not to mention considerable risks.

The significance of the U4 line for the transport network also had to be considered: even now when large events take place in the vicinity of the port there are severe bottlenecks on the U3 line. An above-ground line, partially following the same route as the U3, would have made the situation even worse. The solution chosen, however, also creates additional capacity.

There were also financial constraints against an above-ground line; it would have cost at least as much as the underground solution that was finally chosen (EUR 323 m). On top of this, there would have been expensive noise-proofing measures and damages payments to make outside HafenCity and in the area of the Hanseatic Trade Center.

In addition, the presence of a train track on stilts would have depressed the value of many plots in HafenCity and swallowed up many construction sites. Revenue from the sale of those plots is needed to finance other infrastructure in HafenCity, such as roads, bridges, parks, squares and promenades. Thus, if the U4 line had been run above-ground into and through HafenCity, the construction costs alone would have put a heavy burden on the special assets budget.

In other words, there are good urban planning, infrastructural and economic reasons for choosing the version of a direct, efficient underground link between HafenCity and the inner city.

Living & Working

How are HafenCity’s businesses developing?

More than 270 companies had moved into HafenCity by fall 2010. And the number of jobs provided has almost doubled in the past two years. The new city district offers the best conditions for the location of small and medium-size as well as large enterprises.

How can I rent or buy accommodation in HafenCity?

There are many routes to renting or buying your own home. New buildings are being completed all the time. HafenCity Hamburg GmbH’s booklet on housing, working and living in HafenCity offers an overview.

What is the cost of accommodation in HafenCity?

The price for rental apartments on Dalmannkai works out at EUR 12 to 18 per square meter; for housing cooperatives the price is between EUR 9 and 13.5 per sq. m. Purchase prices for apartments range from EUR 3,000 to 4,500 per sq. m, although exclusive homes close to the water may fetch up to EUR 10,000 per sq. m.

Which companies are already settled in HafenCity?

There are already around 200 businesses (as of autumn 2008) operating out of HafenCity. And this new part of town offers optimal conditions for small or medium businesses as well as very large companies to set up operations.

Who lives in HafenCity?

People with greatly differing lifestyles and concepts can find accommodation to suit them: young professionals, singles, couples, families, so-called “empty nesters” and seniors all now live in the new district.

Leisure & Culture

What kind of shops are opening in HafenCity?

Local supplies are already available to residents and people working locally in Dalmannkai neighborhood and its surroundings. In Überseequartier innovative outlets as well as "normal" supermarkets, drugstores, fashion and accessory shops come up since 2010.

What shopping is available?

Even in the current early phase of HafenCity’s development, plenty of local suppliers are available. The district is also a budding location for boutiques, shopping chains and the flagship stores of international brands.

Is there a good selection of bistros, cafés, restaurants and bars?

The number of bistros, cafés, restaurants, bakeries and bars is ever-expending alike HafenCity itself.

What does HafenCity have to offer for kids?

In the new "Schatzinsel" (Treasure Island) playground 850 sq. m play space awaits them; a parents’ initiative also runs an all-weather playhouse. Up and coming soccer players are already training for Störtebeker sports club, while music and sport is on offer in the Katharinenschule premises after school.

What sports activities are available in HafenCity?

For joggers the waterside promenades are a favorite route, while skaters prefer the many squares and ramps. Green spaces taking shape in the planned parks over the coming years will offer facilities for play, sport and exercise.

What is the concept for the Science Center and when will it be ready?

The concept for the Science Center resembles a construction kit for the earth, focusing on ten main science topics. Content will be made accessible to children, teenagers and adults.

How many cruise ships visit per year and what level of emissions do they produce?

In 2011, Hamburg will be visited by 119 cruise ships. Because so many of them make directly for the HafenCity cruise ship terminal, the problem of their emissions was already taken into account in planning of the new city district.

Concepts & Planning

Why was the Ecolabel reworked?

Initially the Ecolabel applied to residential and office buildings; in 2010 its remit was broadened to include hotel, retail and mixed use buildings.

When will the new district be finished?

HafenCity is being developed in stages. The first areas to be realized are in the north and west, where it directly adjoins the present-day inner city and the Speicherstadt. Completion of the whole district is scheduled for 2025.

Is HafenCity causing gentrification?

The term "gentrification" cannot be applied to HafenCity, because residents cannot be forced out of their homes by higher-income households, since no housing existed there until now.

Will public space in HafenCity be privatized?

The development of HafenCity is actually giving Hamburgers back a piece of their city - plus generous new spaces along the waterfront. Brownfield sites - areas formerly used by industry - are being transformed into an inner-city district with high-quality amenity value. Furthermore, many private spaces are open for public use.

Is HafenCity flood proof against storm surges?

All buildings in HafenCity are elevated on concrete plinths (German "Warften") at a height of about 8 meters above sea level; even in cases of severe high water, this height will not be reached. Roads and bridges are also being built above the flood-line at least 7.5 meters above sea level.

What role does sustainability play in HafenCity?

When the HafenCity project began, the main focus was on topics like sustainability or regeneration of the central former port area where the ground was partially contaminated, as well as the compatibility of housing and port operations. As planning progressed further, new topics followed such as an energy-efficient, climate-friendly heating supply and the development of sustainable building certification.

How green is HafenCity?

HafenCity will display a whole series of typologies of open public spaces: squares planted with trees, smaller "pocket parks", grassed and play areas, as well as Lohsepark, the central inner-city park; all streets will have tree planting.

What are the responsibilities of HafenCity Hamburg GmbH?

HafenCity Hamburg GmbH (HCH) is responsible for ensuring the integrated management of Europe’s largest inner-city development. It combines responsibilities for most aspects of development, which means that it is a one-stop shop for potential site owners, as well as users, residents and government departments.

How are sites in HafenCity allocated to developers?

Developers have to face the competition: where housing sites, hotels and buildings primarily involve retail, there will be a tendering process; where office buildings are concerned, they must be proved to bring measurable economic benefit.

How are decisions made on architects or architectural designs for individual projects?

Depending on the size and uses of the project, architectural competitions are either held involving a limited number of invited architects, or preceded by an open application procedure.

How do streets come by their names?

The decision to give roads and squares in the new HafenCity district the names of various groups of motifs was made by Hamburg’s Senate in 2005. Inspiration was provided by international connections of the Port of Hamburg, both old and new.

How is the HafenCity Ecolabel awarded?

The HafenCity Ecolabel, which honors special (silver) and outstanding (gold) achievements in construction of sustainable buildings is important as a stimulus for sustainable building in HafenCity.

How is HafenCity financed?

Public financing of major international urban development projects is normally highly complex, e.g. because of mixed financing and the provision of funds from various public levels or, particularly prone to risk, bonds financed by local authorities which are serviced by future tax revenues or by attempts to roll over public responsibilities onto private investors. HafenCity’s financing model, on the other hand, is clear-cut and low-risk.