Hamburg wants to become an agricultural model region: Future Agrar+ 2045 started!

Hamburg wants to become an agricultural model region: Future Agrar+ 2045 started!

Hamburg will change significantly in the coming years - at least as far as the agricultural and food industry is concerned. On June 17, 2025, the Authority for the Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture (BUKEA) officially launched the “Future Agrar+ 2045” process to develop Hamburg into a model region for the transformation of the urban agricultural economy. The focus is on creating climate-resilient, species-rich and economically stable businesses that secure agricultural land in the city and at the same time test innovative approaches to urban agriculture.

With more than 14,000 hectares of usable land and strong horticulture, agriculture in Hamburg plays a central role in the cityscape and regional supply. But the challenges are enormous: climate change, loss of biodiversity and competition for space are causing problems for the city Ecologic reported. Economic pressure is also growing, while unclear farm successions and a shortage of skilled workers threaten the stability of urban agriculture.

A common path

BUKEA's transformation process is not isolated, but is supported by the active participation of over 100 participants from various areas who came together on March 4, 2025. This participatory approach involves not only agricultural businesses, but also specialist offices, professional associations and nature conservation organizations in order to develop solutions together. A central element is networking and cooperation between different actors in Hamburg.

The process proceeds in three phases: First, an integrated target image for the agricultural and food industry is created by 2045, followed by the derivation of concrete strategies and measures, before the agricultural strategy is published and implemented in the final step. These phases are crucial to ensure that all relevant topics, from land security to digitalization, are addressed appropriately.

Value creation and knowledge exchange

In order to discuss the various topics, HafenCity University Hamburg is organizing a public lecture series. This series, titled “Urban Gardening and the Edible City,” takes place on Tuesdays and provides space for different perspectives and expertise. Topics such as “New ways to take over farms and career changers” and “Urban horticulture as a motor of urban development” are discussed in order to promote the exchange of ideas and find innovative approaches.

Another aspect that should not be ignored is the need to test innovative approaches to regional value creation. The development of concrete measures is an important component of the transformation process Ecologic emphasized. In order to achieve these goals, the process of HafenCity University Hamburg which also actively contributes to the transfer of knowledge.

We can be curious to see how Hamburg's agricultural landscape will develop by 2045 and whether we will be able to overcome the challenges and make the city a pioneering region for urban agriculture. One thing is certain: BUKEA's approaches are not a dream of the future, but an important step towards a sustainable and resilient food policy.