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Germany goes super-green with new Hamburg ECO CITY rebirth

By Kristen Geis

September 3rd, 2009

Germany’s Hamburg-Harburg Harbor will be home to a sustainable urban development project, “ECO CITY,” blending industry, entertainment and pedestrian life into one super green package. The CITY will be one of the only projects in the world seeking the highest level of environmental certification from three major green building rating systems, including LEED certification.

The project is an exceptional example of how to integrate efficient technology and building methods while fostering social interaction and community rebirth.

Known as the ‘German Venice’, Hamburg has recently gone through major advancements in commercial and residential growth, cultivating layers of enriching diversity.

The ECO CITY project proposes a new standard for environmentally forward construction. ECO CITY lies in Harburg’s harbor area, and can easily be accessed via air, water, road, or rail. It will be only a few kilometers from Hamburg’s center and is situated within the commercial and cultural growth of the Hamburg-Harburg Harbor – an ideal location for environment‑friendly, cutting edge city development.

“ECO CITY represents a synergistic approach to urban development,” explains Technical Principal Sebastian Knorr. “By working in close cooperation with all the stakeholders and taking into consideration the immediate environmental context of the project, we’ve created a different type of sustainable, creative-industrial complex. We hope that iconic ECO CITY project becomes a model for sustainable urban development.”

Solar water heating will be used to offset the use of natural gas. Site lighting will be powered by solar technology. Over forty percent of ECO CITY’s footprint will consist of open air. The majority of all visible roofs will be green roofs, serving to slow storm water runoff and significantly reducing the heat island effect of ECO CITY.

Existing structures from the original site have been rehabilitated and materials from demolished structures re-used whenever possible. Located within walking distance from several major transportation nodes, ECO CITY is an easy commute or quick bike ride for most visitors.

With Phase 1 completed, ECO CITY has secured its first major tenant with the arrival of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, the global manufacturer of printing presses that can trace its history back to the 1800s. The pioneering company brings over 150 new jobs to the area and features an interactive showroom that showcases the company’s advances in the area of ecological printing methods.

During Phase 2, construction will begin on the first high-rise tower that will house a luxury hotel, restaurant, and retail space, attracting people from beyond ECO CITY to the location, making it a destination in and of itself. Construction will also begin on B05, a major office complex located on the very visible corner site of the development. The five-story office block is slated for completion in Spring / Summer 2010.

The final phase of construction will see the completion of ECO CITY, including the second highrise tower, remaining storage and production facilities, and several more auxiliary buildings. Phase 2 is currently in entitlement.

Read more about: development, Germany, green building, LEED, natural gas, technology

About the Author

Kristen is a student and freelance writer as well as an active member of Greenpeace. She has most notably published journals documenting environmental tourism studies in Fiji, The Galapagos and Costa Rica.

See more contributions (42 so far) from Kristen Geis.

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