Beitrag zur Konferenz Urban Infrastructure 2014 in London

Cities are becoming more and more popular. Throughout the world, a vast migration from rural regions into cities of people in search of a good life and a better future is taking place. Cities are the engines of economic growth, job creation, and innovation processes as they are melting pots of people from different cultures and with different backgrounds.

This global observation is mirrored in Hamburg. The city has experienced a growth in population over the last years and its population is going to grow further until the year 2030. This growth is due mostly to young people moving to Hamburg, attracted by the city’s dynamic economy and good job opportunities, by the great variety of educational institutions and the large number of leisure facilities and cultural events.

To plan and design the city for a growing population, while keeping up this high level of quality of life at the same time is the challenge for decision makers in politics and administration.

Urban Infrastructure Development in Hamburg - City Planning and Housing

In future, Hamburg’s overriding development objective for urban infrastructure will be More City in the City”. The aim is to channel existing growth momentum primarily by finding space within the areas that are already built up, i.e. internal development before expansion.

The demand for urban living is very high. People value the tight web of urban amenities, the social diversity of neighbourhoods and excellent infrastructure. For many residents, both young and old, singles, couples and families, the densely built, mixed-use Wilhelminian (Gründerzeit) neighbourhoods simply mean an easier way to organize their lives and satisfy everyday needs. Be it workplaces, schools or shopping everything is within easy, environment-friendly reach, either on foot, by bike or by public transport.

Today, such density is only the case for Hamburg’s inner city districts. The More City in the City” strategy aims to change that. Spatial, social, cultural and economic density generates urbanity, as does close physical proximity between homes and workplaces, educational and leisure facilities. It is the prime objective to take the development of less central districts and neighbourhoods which reflect city planning ideals of the 1950s to 70s, namely the spacious garden city to the next stage.

Despite population growth, housing needs to stay affordable in big cities. People with different backgrounds and from all social classes need to be able to find appropriate and affordable housing. As the demand for urban housing is growing, Hamburg has set up a building programme based on long-term continuity and a large number of newly built apartments. In an ongoing collaboration with the housing industry the city aims to ensure that at least 6,000 new apartments are built every year.

Mobility Infrastructure

Mobility as a human basic need is becoming more important but attitudes are changing. The modal split is changing in favor of more environment-friendly modes of mobility such as bicycles and public transport. For every kind of mobility need, the most suitable, environment-friendly mode of transport must be available and at a distance from home that people find acceptable. It is therefore very important to offer even more flexible, attractive ways to combine bus and rail travel, ferries, cycling, car-sharing etc (Intermodality”). Public transport systems have to be constantly expanded to meet the growing demand.

Bicycle infrastructure needs to be improved, too. Hamburg has implemented a Cycling Action Plan to strengthen the infrastructure, integrating bikes in public transport, improving safety etc. All bike lanes are to be examined and rebuilt wherever necessary. The city has set up a public bike-sharing system in 2009, counting 1650 bikes and about 130 stations as of today.

For some mobility needs, however, cars have to remain an available option. Supporting different car-sharing models is key to foster a paradigm shift from owning towards using (Car2go, BMW DriveNow). Furthermore, to reduce CO2 emissions, new propulsion systems and innovative driving systems such as electric driving, hydrogen and fuel cell applications need to be tested and promoted in cities. Hamburg is implementing a Masterplan for public charging facilities, striving to set up almost 600 charging points for electric vehicles until 2016. Public transport can play an important role in testing and showcasing these technologies as well: From 2020 on, Hamburg is going to procure only zero-emission buses.

Es gilt das gesprochene Wort.