Lohsepark - Hamburg

As HafenCity's central green space, Lohsepark, with its open lawns and over 530 trees, fulfils important urban, social and ecological functions as a meeting place and play area, as a place of recreation and ecological retreat.

550 m long, sandwiched between two water areas and designed in the tradition of Hamburg's Volksparks, the open space concept incorporates two fundamental ideas: A visual axis from water to water and a precise spatial staggering in three height levels: high city level, park level and low, historical level.

The memorial "denk.mal Hannoverscher Bahnhof" integrated into the park commemorates the deportation of 8071 Jews, Sinti and Roma, in the years1940-1945.

ATTRACTIVE GREEN CITY SPACE IN THE CENTRE OF HAFENCITY

VOGT Landschaftsarchitekten, Zurich/Berlin, won the open-space planning competition held by Hafencity Hamburg GmbH in 2010. The park, designed in the tradition of Hamburg's Volksparks, covers a total area of 4.4 hectares and is the largest contiguous green space in HafenCity. Characterized by a free visual axis, the 550 m long and 100 m wide park stretches like a long green ribbon from water to water. Topographically, the park is divided into three levels: a high urban level, a park level and a historical level. Spacious lawns invite you to play and linger. Long park benches, seating steps and other furniture create opportunities for rest and relaxation. On the long sides, terraces called bastions made of moulded clinker bricks connect the park with the city level without barriers.

530 TREES IN 20 PARK TREE TYPES

Multi-stemmed trees, species with picturesque growth forms, unusual blossoms or autumn colours stand on the wide lawns. The classic park image is also supported by the 'Follies' as traditional elements of the landscape park, a grove of columnar oaks as the perimeter of the basketball court, multi-stemmed hornbeams as a dense forest and the "Fenced Wilderness" as a biotope in the park. Around 70 apple and cherry trees enrich the planting concept. The fruits of the trees - all old cultivated varieties - can be harvested by anyone. A residents' initiative called "Friends of Lohsepark" is already committed to the management of the trees.

In addition to the urban ambience of the park, among other things.

Next to the urban ambience of the park, including playgrounds for children, a stone grotto and a streetball facility, the park shows a soft and natural side at its northern border on the banks of the Ericusgraben: a gently sloping embankment of grasses, perennials, reeds and reeds creates a contrast to the waters of the tidal harbor, which are otherwise enclosed by quay walls.

"DENK.MAL HANNOVERSCHER BAHNHOF"

Where Lohsepark is today, parts of the Hanover railway station once stood. At least 8,071 Jews, Sinti and Roma were deported from here between 1940 and 1945. The "denk.mal Hannoverscher Bahnhof" is an integral part of the park. The joint, constructed by folded retaining walls, connects Lohseplatz as part of the former station forecourt across the park with the historic railway platform. As a tracing of the former course of the tracks, the joint blends into the new urban landscape with Lohseplatz and the railway platform at the historical level of 5.50 m above sea level. Like a deeper geological layer, these elements lie below the newly created park level of approx. 6.50 m above sea level and the new city level of 8.20 m above sea level. The authentic platform with the historic tracks was carefully restored. Memorial plaques and name boards of the 8071 deportees characterize the place and remind in a dignified way of the victims and the dark chapter of the former railway station. The area of the memorial site was designed with birches, robinias, wild roses - pioneer woody plants that spread at railway sites.

The planning of Lohsepark was characterized by extensive participation processes with citizens, networks of residents, the local school and daycare center. The design of the memorial site was developed together with victims' associations. In July 2016, around 20,000 visitors celebrated the official opening of the park with the First Mayor.

Award plant useGerman Landscape Architecture Award 2017

Jury verdict: Lohsepark is the largest contiguous green space in Hamburg's HafenCity. The jury particularly praised the unusual use of plants in the park. The planners succeeded in creating a special spatial experience in the over 4 hectare area by planting a wide variety of trees in impressive sizes already at the park's inauguration in July 2016.

The oaks along the main path represent the guiding theme. Different atmospheres are created by several hundred trees in over 20 species on the lawns. Trees with picturesque growth forms, special autumn colours or blossoms or multi-stemmed hornbeams as a dense forest are intended to encourage play in their diversity, but also make the hearts of all tree lovers beat faster. Special areas are also made visible by the "plant" theme - for example, the columnar oak folly by the basketball court, the hedge village by the toddlers' playground or the planting on the banks of the Ericusgraben in the north of Lohsepark.

The bold choice of old fruit varieties in the planting concept is highlighted. The fruits of the more than 70 apple and cherry trees can be harvested by everyone. A residents' initiative, which is already taking care of the management of the trees, can ensure that the concept also works out in the long term.