Kirchenpauerkai Hamburg

The Baakenhafen district is one of the newest development areas in HafenCity and is characterized by its dual waterfront location. A mixed residential and working quarter has been created on Baakenwerder, a spit of land between Baakenhafen and the Elbe that was artificially filled in around 1870. Like HafenCity as a whole, this quarter is surrounded by fortified quay edges that date back to its former use as a port facility. Today, these quays are accessible as promenades along the water. During a storm surge, the promenades located on the historic harbor level can be flooded, while the new buildings, squares and streets are protected from flooding by the approx. 4 m high so-called mound level.



At Kirchenpauerkai, the Baakenhafen quarter faces the Elbe. A corridor-like park (approx. 30 m wide and 1,000 m long) has been created between the historic edge of the riverbank and the new, characteristic red-brown clinker mound wall, which, in addition to its ecological function as a biotope network and species-rich habitat, plays a central role as a recreational, adventure and exercise area for the adjacent urban quarters.



A variety of play, sports and exercise facilities for different user and age groups are embedded in the tree-lined and wind-sculpted meadow topography. This is a place to meet, be active together and engage in conversation. Walks in the shade of the trees along the historic quayside, or relaxing on a bench looking out over the glistening water, offer relaxation and recreation.



Stairs and barrier-free ramps provide access from the higher quarter squares to the Kirchenpauerkai at square-like widenings, the so-called crane squares - city and open space are closely interlinked. The spacious and almost sculpturally shaped flights of steps at the crane squares become grandstands in the evening, from where social activities such as dancing and games can be watched on the squares in front, or children can take their first laps on bicycles.



Kirchenpauerkai is not only an open space for the adjacent neighborhoods, but also connects the districts to the east and south of HafenCity with the city center via the Elbe cycle path, making it an important component of Hamburg's cycle path network.

Play, sport, movement awardGerman Landscape Architecture Award 2025

Jury verdict:
Kirchenpauerkai shows how landscape architecture can grow beyond itself. Atelier LOIDL has succeeded in creating an elongated ribbon between the city and the water that provides space for movement, encounters and biodiversity in equal measure - and sets new standards in the process.

In the young urban extension of the Baakenhafen neighbourhood, in the middle of Hamburg's HafenCity, a public space was developed between the historic quayside and a modern mound wall that is more than just a park: it is an urban open space corridor that naturally interweaves sporting activity, children's play, communal interaction and quiet relaxation.

The result is an open space landscape around one kilometre long, whose soft, meadowy topography appears to have been shaped by the wind. Under the gentle canopy of trees, islands of play, spaces for movement and quiet retreats open up - embedded in a green backbone that also functions ecologically.

The park was not only designed for people, but also for biodiversity. The park connects biotopes, protects against flooding and yet creates accessibility to the water. And this is precisely its great strength: Kirchenpauerkai brings nature, the city and people into motion - literally and figuratively.

A space that invites you to move, but also to pause for a moment. Intended for all generations without imposing itself. A space that is both robust and poetic, functional and sensual. Landscape architecture that takes a stance and impresses with its playful lightness.