Die Baakenhafenbrücke - innovative Nutzungsvielfalt und Nachhaltigkeit

The Baakenhafen bridge - Innovative, multifunctional and sustainable

Opened in August 2013 the new Baakenhafen bridge is an important piece of urban infrastructure, unlocking a key site on the HafenCity development in Hamburg. In the short term, the bridge will serve as a means of access to the Baakenhafen peninsula for the site wide construction effort. Following this wave of development, the bridge will serve its primary purpose of connecting the inhabitants and users of this new district with the city to the North. For this reason, the bridge has been designed to accommodate several modes of travel: vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian. The bridge provides generous footpaths along both edges, isolated from vehicular traffic, creating a quiet, protected environment. The rise and fall of these footpaths provide unique views in all directions. While the footpath dips towards the water it also swells in width creating a generous terraced seating area. Pedestrians are invited to sit and use the bridge as a destination as well as a connection. The impact of the bridge will be felt far beyond the extent of its immediate site as it acts as a catalyst for development and regeneration on a neighbourhood scale.