The spatial area for the future "Quartiere am Volkspark" covers around 55 hectares. It stretches along the Volkspark Altona across the site of the current trotting track, the adjoining allotments to the east and the A7 freeway overpass currently under construction. In the future, a wide range of housing options with a significant proportion of subsidized housing are planned here, as well as leisure and sports facilities, social amenities, schools and a university campus. Another important milestone will be reached with the construction of a new underground S-Bahn line with a station centrally located in the area.
© PhotoFrizz Kuhn Urban development and open space
In September 2024, the urban design and open spaces for the districts at Volkspark were presented. The renowned office COBE from Copenhagen came out on top in the competition thanks to the highest planning quality, innovative strength and sustainable concepts. The design by COBE offers a promising basic structure that allows a high degree of flexibility and identity. Each of the three sub-districts speaks its own language and at the same time fits into the overall framework. High-quality green and open spaces run through the entire quarters at Volkspark, which are interlinked with the surrounding area in a variety of ways.
Three sub-quarters
In "Campusviertel", a system of urban squares and public functions underlines the urban character of the quarter. Close to Campus West on the opposite side of Luruper Chaussee , important teaching and research buildings of the University of Hamburg, including a lecture hall center and cafeteria, are to be located. One of the two entrances to the new underground S-Bahn station is also planned close to the university facilities. The holistic development concept is based on strong public transport connections. However, students will also be able to live at Campusviertel .
The basic idea of the adjacent "new garden city" to the east is linear, open residential block structures that create green courtyards and thus strengthen the neighborhood character. The structure is based on the allotment gardens currently located in the area in question, which will be relocated to the future A7 cover.
To the east of the future cover over the A7, surrounded by the landscape axis Volkspark, lies the "Naturquartier". Here, the design envisages a loose, intermixed block structure that allows nature to repeatedly invade the spaces in between.
© COBE A/S Green corridor and red thread science
As the main element of the overarching open space planning, a "green corridor" connects the sub-districts with each other, but also with Hamburg's second "Green Ring", which extends from Jenischpark on the Elbe via Lise-Meitner-Park to Volkspark Altona and further east to Niendorfer Gehege. The development puts Volkspark Altona at the forefront of Science City as a whole. Some of the newly created sports areas will be integrated into the "green corridor".
At the same time, science and learning are the common threads running through the districts at Volkspark. The planned departments of the University of Hamburg (e.g. for chemistry) characterize the "Campusviertel". The schools that already exist or are planned for the districts at Volkspark as well as additional places of learning will be integrated into the ribbon as it progresses - for example,the existing Kielkamp school.
© COBE A/S Comprehensive sustainability concept
Rainwater management plays a central role in the sustainable design of COBE. According to the design, precipitation is collected and infiltrated in a network of drainage troughs, ditches and retention basins. The retention areas, some permanent, some only temporarily water-bearing, become a landscape design element. Green roofs also serve as water reservoirs.
The development concept for the neighborhoods at Volkspark is based on the fact that routes can be easily undertaken on foot, by bike or by public transport. Neighborhood garages("Mobility Hubs") are planned near the entrances to the neighborhoods. In addition to the planned S-Bahn station, bus routes complement the dense public transport network.
© COBE A/S Next steps
In September 2024, the urban design and open spaces for the districts at Volkspark were presented. The renowned office COBE from Copenhagen came out on top in the competition thanks to the highest planning quality, innovative strength and sustainable concepts. The design by COBE offers a promising basic structure that allows a high degree of flexibility and identity. Each of the three sub-districts speaks its own language and at the same time fits into the overall framework. High-quality green and open spaces run through the entire quarters at Volkspark, which are interlinked with the surrounding area in a variety of ways. COBE's design now serves as the basis for the subsequent functional planning, which ultimately provides the basis for drawing up the necessary development plans. Only then can the area be realized in construction phases from west to east. Completion of the functional planning is scheduled for the end of 2026. The first - primarily infrastructural - construction activities are expected from 2027/2028.
© Hamburg Senate Chancellery, Jan-Niklas Pries 
