Hafencity: Major project with an accident shadow – a new district is being created

Hafencity: Major project with an accident shadow – a new district is being created

The Überseequartier in Hamburg has established itself as the largest project of its kind in Germany. The ambitious planning aims to enable living, shopping and leisure events directly on the water. With more than 170 shops and restaurants, apartments, offices and event areas, a diverse environment is created here that offers space for around 15,000 people. ZDF reports that the opening of the mall could attract an estimated 165,000 visitors. The central contact person on site, neighborhood manager Theda Mustroph, is available to provide those interested with advice and assistance, while advisor Katrin Pic offers the free shopping service.

Hafencity, a very special district, is located in a unique location between the Elbphilharmonie in the west and the Elbtower in the east. But the path there was not without stumbling blocks: the project began 20 years ago and had to be adjusted several times due to various setbacks, including investor bankruptcies and numerous accidents. The latter have sparked worrying discussions regarding security precautions.

Poor security situation on construction sites

The security situation on the construction sites in the Überseequartier is alarming. According to NDR and other reports, there was a tragic industrial accident in October 2023 in which five workers died. “Zeit’s” research reveals miserable working conditions on the construction site that endanger the safety of employees. Numerous accidents have also been documented in recent months, such as a serious fall of a worker in March 2023 or a major fire in June 2023 that was caused by exploding gas bottles.

These incidents are part of a disturbing trend. By November 2023, there were a total of four deaths and more than ten seriously injured people due to work accidents. According to insiders, the security precautions are often inadequate, and there is also evidence of inadequate pay for workers, which is well below the legal minimum wage. The data from EverybodyWiki shows that more than 1,000 workers, many of them from Eastern and Southeastern Europe, face daily challenges amid concerns about their safety.

Confident mood in the future despite problems

Despite these difficulties, people are looking forward to the opening of the Überseequartier. Resident Vanessa Overmann expresses her excitement about the improved local amenities and the new event space. Businesses and residents hope that the newly created living environment with over 150 shops, 20 restaurants, three hotels, cinemas and even a cruise terminal will become a magnet for tourists.

With a total budget of 2.5 billion euros, this project will do everything in its power to not only justify the long wait, but also redefine the concept of urban lifestyle. The first milestones could become apparent in the coming months if the problems on the construction sites can be resolved.

The ZDF accompanies this start in the new district and provides exciting insights into what is happening. Stay tuned, because the Überseequartier has the potential to shape not only Hamburg, but also beyond!