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Teaching

Patrik Schumacher on Niederhafen River Promenade

Following Niederhafen River Promenade in Hamburg being shortlisted for the 2021 Deutsches Architekturmuseum (DAM) Prize for the best new architecture in Germany, Patrik Schumacher, Principal of Zaha Hadid Architects joins DAM’s Pecha Kucha series to speak on the project.

Transforming essential flood protection infrastructure into popular public space, the new Niederhafen River Promenade in Hamburg is integral to the modernisation and reinforcement of the city’s flood protection system.

In the aftermath of storm surge floods in February 1962 that caused 315 fatalities and destroyed the homes of 60,000 residents, between 1964 and 1968 Hamburg developed a barrier on the banks of the River Elbe at Niederhafen to protect the city against floods up to a height of 7.20m above sea level.

Modern hydrology and computer simulations have since forecast the city’s flooding characteristics with greater accuracy; calculating an increase in the barrier height was required to protect Hamburg from future winter storm surges and extreme high tides.

The new Niederhafen flood protection barrier incorporates the city’s riverside promenade providing panoramic views of the Elbe and its historic port, and reconnects its river promenade with the surrounding urban fabric; creating links with adjacent neighbourhoods.

Wide staircases resembling small amphitheatres are carved within the flood protection barrier at points where streets from the adjacent neighbourhoods meet the structure; giving passers-by at street level views of the people strolling along the promenade at the top of the barrier and views of the masts & superstructures of ships in the Elbe. Similar amphitheatres facing the river alternate with these city-facing stairs. Ramps also connect the river promenade with street level providing accessibility for all.

View Patrik’s Pecha Kucha on the Niederhafen River Promenade on DAM’s Youtube channels from 2.30 pm (BST), 3.30 pm (CEST) via link below.

Deutsches Architekturmuseum (DAM) on Youtube

Photograph by Kim Mun