Strandpark Waller Sand, Bremen Urban dike construction as a park

The "Waller Sand" park in Bremen transforms flood protection into liveable spaces for the city's population: instead of a structure with a barrier effect, the renovation of the protective structures has created multifunctional open spaces that are adapted to the existing historical structure and contemporary public life. The urban dyke construction illustrates how complex technical infrastructures can be developed from a hard to a soft edge to become high-quality components of public space in terms of urban and architectural culture.



A model project for sustainable flood protection



With an area of around 300 hectares, Überseestadt is one of the largest inner-city development areas in Europe. In the area, which was used as an industrial port until the 1990s, a mixed urban quarter with up to 11,000 new residents, educational and cultural facilities is growing. The park is located to the west of Bremen's city center, at the end of a peninsula. In the past, an impressive turning circle was created here for large ships. Today, this neglected site is being turned into a city-wide attraction in place of the previously purely functional stone embankment: a vital park with spacious recreational opportunities and a diverse quality of experience is being created here.



Coastal regions around the world are affected by rising sea levels; in Bremen, 86% of the urban area is at risk of flooding in the future. While urban shores are being developed in many places as part of the paradigm shift, the reality of rising sea levels threatens a repetition of structural isolation from the water. In order to adapt to the climate and protect against storm surges, the dykes have been upgraded and designed as a spacious beach park. The result is a city beach, a tidal garden, a boulevard and other places to spend time by the water. The urban dyke construction resolves the conflict between necessary technology and open space use with a high level of landscape architectural quality. For its special project approach, "Waller Sand" was included in the federal government's "National Urban Development Projects" funding scheme, which supports innovative projects of national importance.



Experiencing nature in the city



The central attraction of the park is a large beach that stretches between the city and the water's edge and forms a sensual contrast to the industrial surroundings. The almost three-hectare, open-use area will become a city-wide magnet for numerous leisure activities and a link to the surrounding districts of Gröpeling and Walle. On the water side, the sandy area will be accompanied by a barrier-free riverside path that will make it possible to experience the Weser again. The beach park picks up on the existing scenography and refines it: clear structural elements, long benches and simple wooden plank paths fit into the site-specific dimensions and thus complement the existing landscape.



Sheet pile wall as a flood protection bench



The backbone of the park on the city side is a continuous, dual bench made from the visible part of an underground sheet pile wall that can be used from both sides. The bench stretches along the adjacent Gustaf-Erikson-Ufer boulevard. This will be designed as a traffic-calmed zone at the same level, inviting people to stroll along the wide embankment defense path.



Recycling of harbor elements



The narrow forecourt of the Molenturm is enlivened by a 20-metre-long, multifunctional wooden sculpture for climbing and sitting. It was built from recycled friction wood from former lock walls. The imposing bongossi planks are an exceptionally robust construction timber that has acquired a unique patina and feel over decades of use. In their current repurposing, the large-format wooden objects create a strong link to the rough harbor environment and are reminiscent of the nearby wooden harbor.