Environmental sustainability
in urban development

IBA Hamburg GmbH / www.luftbilder.de

Climate and environmental protection are more necessary than ever in view of climate change. The questions of how we can best protect and integrate nature and the environment in the context of neighbourhood development, how the district and its buildings themselves can contribute to climate protection, and what a forward-looking energy supply might look like are fundamental to IBA Hamburg. IBA Hamburg is committed to national climate protection goals and aims to create climate-neutral neighbourhoods. Urban development that takes existing green structures into account, careful sealing of surfaces only to the extent necessary, measures to protect against and deal with heavy rainfall events, a resource-saving energy supply for the new residential areas, and the planning of cold and warm air corridors are just a few examples of how this can be achieved.

In terms of climate change, it is not only climate protection (measures to mitigate climate change) that is relevant, but also climate adaptation (measures to adapt to the consequences of climate change). Solutions were already sought and innovative projects implemented as part of the International Building Exhibition IBA Hamburg 2006-2013 under the motto ‘City in Climate Change’. Building on this foundation, the aim of IBA Hamburg is to make a significant contribution at the neighbourhood level in today's projects as well: responsible, ecologically sustainable use of

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demonstrates a forward-looking approach to rainwater management. Find out more.

IBA DOCK

The headquarters of IBA Hamburg itself is an exhibit for both climate protection and climate adaptation. Thanks to solar thermal energy, photovoltaics and a technically sophisticated system that treats water from the Elbe River for heat supply, the IBA DOCK is self-sufficient in energy and therefore CO2-neutral. At the same time, the floating pontoon works with and not against the water, rising and falling with the tides. This is also a solution for rising water levels. Detailed information about the project can be found here.

Climate and environmental protection (examples of measures to mitigate climate change)

Sustainable water management

Active water management is implemented through retention, infiltration, low sealing and versatile areas.
Exchange with nature conservation associations

IBA Hamburg regularly seeks dialogue with nature conservation associations. In Vogelkamp Neugraben, which borders the Moorgürtel nature reserve, several projects have already been implemented to promote biodiversity and raise awareness among residents: a nature trail provides information about the nature reserve and urban nature; nesting aids, a stork's nest and a clay pit for sparrows have been built. In addition, regular nature tours and information events on nature-oriented garden design are held. In this way, small measures are taken to protect flora and fauna. This exchange is an integral part of the planning in all project areas.
Strategies for tree preservation

IBA Hamburg is committed to preserving as many existing trees as possible in all new neighbourhood planning (regardless of new plantings). In Wilhelmsburg, around 2,170 existing trees have been successfully integrated into the planning. The existing trees are already secured by IBA Hamburg in the concept tender when the plots are awarded. An innovative method of explosive ordnance detection was found for the former barracks site in Fischbeker Heidbrook, enabling almost the entire old tree population to be preserved. Even during the construction work, safeguards for existing trees are mandatory so that they are not affected by the construction site operations. Further information can also be found on the Open Space page.
Concepts for compensation areas and nature conservation

When new urban districts are created, compensation areas must be found for natural areas that are under pressure. The necessary measures are regulated by the Federal Nature Conservation Act. To this end, IBA Hamburg commissions detailed expert reports and works together with specialists. In addition, IBA Hamburg goes one step further wherever possible and exceeds the minimum requirements. In Oberbillwerder, for example, a crossing concept was developed. This provides for ‘islands’ in the neighbourhood that enable animals to cross it with as little stress as possible. The concept of animal-aided design is also applied here. In Fischbeker Reethen, among other things, the neighbourhood planning was adapted to the flight paths and hunting habitats of the bats living there in a complex process.
Energy standards and resource-saving materials

Through concept tenders for the allocation of land, IBA Hamburg can establish important requirements for climate and resource protection. Whether private builders or professional investors, anyone wishing to build in one of the project areas must meet at least the KfW 55 energy standard. As part of the allocation process, higher energy standards (e.g. KfW Efficiency House 40, IFB Passive House, and others) are generally awarded higher scores. The implementation of particularly resource-efficient construction methods (e.g. timber construction or the use of sustainable materials) will also be given a higher rating or specified in the tender. In this way, IBA Hamburg aims to promote the sustainable development of the neighbourhood.
Mobility concepts

A well-thought-out mobility concept such as the one shown above for Oberbillwerder should also contribute to reducing CO2 emissions in the neighbourhood. Early expansion of public transport services, good cycling infrastructure (parking spaces, rental services, cycle highways, cycle paths in the neighbourhood), car-sharing services (including on the outskirts of the city, for example), attractive and efficient pedestrian routes and short distances within the neighbourhood, charging stations for e-mobility – all this and more should convince future residents to give up their own cars as often as possible or even completely. Further information on this can also be found on the Mobility page.

‘Cities, which account for only three to four per cent of the Earth's land area, consume at least 80 per cent of the world's resources. Efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and switch to renewable energies must therefore be concentrated in cities.’

IBA publication series; Metropolis: Resources

Climate adaptation (examples of measures to adapt to the consequences of climate change)

Neugraben-Fischbek: Making a contribution with near-surface drainage

Another pioneering initiative in rainwater management is the RegenInfraStrukturAnpassung (RISA) project, launched in 2009 by the Ministry of Urban Development and Environment in collaboration with HAMBURG WASSER. Fischbeker Heidbrook is one of the first RISA projects. Sustainable rainwater management is being implemented here in concrete terms by not draining rainwater immediately into pipes, as is traditionally done, but instead allowing it to seep away, drain openly and close to the surface, or be retained in hollows and ditches where it evaporates or is drained away more slowly. All builders in the neighbourhood have committed to this form of drainage when purchasing their land. This localised water storage thus benefits nature and resource conservation while also enhancing the aesthetic qualities of the area.
Oberbillwerder – prepared for heavy rainfall events

The consequences of climate change require new strategies for dealing with rainwater. One example of this is Oberbillwerder: a detailed and sustainable drainage concept ensures that the new district can withstand even heavy rainfall events that occur once every 100 years. This is achieved by a sophisticated system that combines retention (rainwater retention) and controlled drainage. The Green Loop connects the entire district as a public open space. Many natural drainage ditches are being created here. In addition to the Green Loop as a retention area, the principle of multiple use applies here: sports and nature areas can absorb large amounts of water during heavy rainfall and be ‘flooded’. The water management concept not only creates safety, but also design qualities in dealing with everyday and exceptional amounts of water.
Wilhelmsburg: Green roofs for a better urban climate

Together with the City of Hamburg, IBA Hamburg is striving to achieve a high proportion of green roofs in its neighbourhoods, which is already being stipulated in the development plans. For example, around 50% of roofs in the Spreehafenviertel, Elbinselquartier and Wilhelmburger Rathausviertel neighbourhoods are planned to be green roofs. Green roofs have many advantages: they improve the urban climate in the neighbourhood, help to save energy costs for heating or air conditioning, bind pollutants and provide space for animals and insects, to name just a few examples. In addition, a green roof also helps to improve drainage in the neighbourhood by retaining rainwater, which then evaporates naturally from the roofs. However, the neighbourhoods of IBA Hamburg are not only to have green roofs, but also green facades in order to promote biodiversity and a good urban climate here as well.

International Building Exhibition IBA Hamburg 2006 to 2013 – Main theme: Cities in Climate Change

How can growth and sustainability be combined? CITIES IN CLIMATE CHANGE was one of three central themes of the International Building Exhibition IBA Hamburg and was intended to answer the big question of a climate-friendly future for the metropolis. Flagship projects such as the Energy Bunker and the Energy Mountain, as well as innovative ideas such as the BIQ algae house, emerged from this laboratory. Strategies for sustainable energy supply for entire neighbourhoods were also developed. Visit the International Building Exhibition archive to learn more about the projects.