What the first Science City Day was like
It's hissing and steaming wildly on the stage: scientists in white lab coats and face masks are stirring in a large silver tub. They are adding liquid nitrogen to a cocoa preparation at a temperature of minus 196 degrees. Thick clouds of mist form, announcing the successful outcome of the experiment: The researchers have produced chocolate ice cream that perfectly matches the bright sunny weather. Soon, the hosts can hand out samples to the audience: The two Hamburg senators Katharina Fegebank (Science) and Karen Pein (Urban Development) open Science City Day together with DESY Chairman Prof. Dr. Helmut Dosch, University President Dr. Hauke Heekeren, Altona District Head Dr. Stefanie von Berg and the Chairman of Science City Hamburg Bahrenfeld GmbH, Dr. Andreas Kleinau.
Hands-on and hands-on
Visitors were able to experience the open day up close right from the start: cutting-edge research and urban development that they could touch and participate in to get an idea of what goes into one of the largest future projects of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg (FHH). And the interest was great. Around 15,000 visitors, including many families with children, came to explore Science City Hamburg Bahrenfeld on June 1, 2024. This is being built around the research site of the German Electron Synchrotron (DESY) on an area of 125 hectares, the equivalent of around 175 soccer pitches: Until the 2040s, the FHH is working with numerous partners from science and industry to develop a knowledge-based urban space with cutting-edge international research, which is also a vibrant district with attractive apartments and recreational spaces.
At the Science City Days, visitors were able to discover what cutting-edge research means in the laboratories and halls of a total of twelve research facilities and institutions - including the University of Hamburg and the Max Planck Institute. Scientists, recognizable by their red and blue T-shirts, gave exciting insights into their work. They vividly demonstrated how quantum computers work and how laser beams are controlled. In between, seating made from wooden pallets and food stands invited visitors to relax.
Checker Julian and the sponge city
At Infocenter of Science City Hamburg Bahrenfeld at Albert-Einstein-Ring , the focus was on urban and neighborhood development. A highlight for the children was the appearance of Julian Janssen. Known from the Kika program as Checker Julian, he interviewed Antje - Professor Antje Stokmann from HafenCity University (HCU) - about the city of the future. Colorful sponge cloths doused with water: this is a vivid way to explain the principle of the sponge city and show how unsealed, storable surfaces help to regulate water volumes and cool cities. Karsten - HCU Professor Karsten Schlesier - then demonstrated how houses can be built using modular construction methods and climate-friendly materials by placing wooden building blocks on top of each other. "The wooden building blocks can also be reused later," concluded the young audience members involved in the event.
Infomobile for the neighborhood
On the adjacent district mile, where Bahrenfeld associations and initiatives presented themselves, information was provided by the district initiative "Bahrenfeld auf Trab", whose name refers to the trotting track on whose site apartments will be built in the future. "Bahrenfeld auf Trab is open to people who live and work in the district," explains Heiko von Thaden from the initiative. "Everyone is welcome to bring in their topics to work on and implement them together." A mobile information bike, which was presented at the Science City Day, will also be used in future to foster even more intensive dialog. "We also want to reach people who don't come to us at Infocenter ," reports Moritz Zechel from Science City Hamburg Bahrenfeld GmbH, who will be touring the neighborhood on the specially designed bike.
