The project “Re-inventing Salzgitter Quay: Sustainability meets Coal” in Hamburg’s Sandauhafen exemplifies forward-thinking and sustainable infrastructure development. The quay, established in 1975/76, serves the handling of bulk goods such as iron ore and coal and is a central element of the Port of Hamburg, boasting a high number of ship movements per year. A comprehensive condition assessment revealed structural deficiencies and significant scouring in front of the quay wall, necessitating fundamental structural renewal.
Instead of completely dismantling the existing structure, the project team opted for an innovative approach: integrating the existing quay wall into the new construction and utilizing it structurally. This constructive reuse significantly reduces the need for concrete and steel, saving valuable resources and CO₂ emissions. The project emphasizes the reuse of existing structures, contributing to a cultural shift from radical renewal to the reinvention and reuse of the old, still valuable structure.
The sustainable construction approach is also reflected in the project execution method. The Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) model is applied, a collaborative project delivery model based on a partnership contract structure between the client, planners, and contractors. The alliance contract ensures equal participation in planning and execution for all parties and commits them to jointly assume risks. This shortens communication channels, reduces misunderstandings, and enables faster implementation. Additionally, the early selection of project partners enhances the alliance’s competence and ensures its operational capability.
The project “Re-inventing Salzgitter Quay: Sustainability meets Coal” combines engineering excellence with lived sustainability, demonstrating how reinvention instead of renewal and collaborative partnership can achieve resource-efficient infrastructure development for the future.