The Harbour as Centre Working Model
Discussing the working models in a workshop with residents, city councillors and politicians
How can the sea be experienced in Wilhelmshaven’s city center?
In the past eight months, De Zwarte Hond has developed approaches—on behalf of Wirtschaftsförderung Wilhelmshaven—to better connect the city center with the tourist-oriented Südstrand Wilhelmshaven. The goal: to create new synergies between everyday urban life and tourism. The strategic concept “Green-Blue Connection Routes City Center – Südstrand” has now been presented to the city council members.
It becomes clear that there is no single route between the city center and the coast. Different user groups move through the city in different ways—from the direct, everyday routes of residents to the more experience-oriented paths of tourists heading toward the sea.
De Zwarte Hond combined an analysis of the spatial conditions with active citizen participation. Through the Swipocratie app and participatory workshops, ideas were discussed and further developed together with the community.
The resulting vision focuses on the Großer Hafen and the Südstadt as key connecting spaces between the city and the sea. It translates strategic thinking into a concrete set of measures, such as a maritime passage and programs to activate the harbor promenade.
In this way, the sea becomes more tangible within the city, movement turns into experience, and Wilhelmshaven strengthens its profile as a green and livable coastal city.
More information about the project; Wilhelmshaven: Green-blue connecting routes