New life in Duisburg's inner harbor: visions become reality!

New life in Duisburg's inner harbor: visions become reality!

A look at the Havenwelten in Bremerhaven and the Duisburg inner harbor shows how water areas are being revitalized in urban areas. Water plays a central role in urban development. A lot has happened in the last few decades, especially in the case of Duisburg's inner harbor. The former central port and trading center has lost its importance since the 1960s, but a targeted redesign brought new perspectives.

At that time, the city was planning access to the water from the city center, and the first measures were implemented from the late 1980s. Historic city walls were uncovered and redesigned, including a former granary that now serves as a cultural and city history museum. A decisive step was the inclusion of the project in the International Building Exhibition IBA Emscher Park in 1989. The nationale-stadtentwicklungspolitik.de highlights that an international competition for city planners and architects was launched in 1990 to create a comprehensive master plan led by the renowned architect Norman Foster.

A new chapter for the inner harbor

This master plan focused on the development of services, culture, gastronomy and high-quality living space - retail was left out. Significant infrastructural measures have been taken as part of this vision. With the completion of the harbor forum on the south bank in 1996 and further conversions of historical buildings such as the Küppersmühle into a museum for contemporary art, the inner harbor acquired a new social significance.

Housing construction in this area boomed. Between 60 and 70 apartments were built every year as part of an urban renovation project. The entire project was largely completed between 1995 and 2012, when it was taken over by the city of Duisburg. Although some major projects, such as “Eurogate”, are still waiting to be completed, the inner harbor is considered a prime example of future-oriented urban development.

Port development as a model

Connecting the city center to the water and creating an urban space full of life are the central goals of this project. The positive effects of the redesign cannot be overlooked. The revitalization of the port area has not only provided economic but also ecological impetus.

In Duisburg there is a place that invites you to linger, stroll and enjoy. The lokalkompass.de states that such developments not only enhance the water as a transport route, but also as a living space and recreational area. The example of Duisburg shows how ambitious planning and creative use of existing resources can give urban areas a new, lively character.

For Astrid Günther from Duisburg, it is clear in this context that the commitment of citizens and municipal actors is crucial for such projects to be successfully implemented. The ADFC Duisburg emphasizes how important it is that the people of Duisburg continue to be actively involved in shaping their city participate.