Bremerhaven is one of the poorest cities in Germany, with an empty port, high unemployment, a large number of highly educated people who work in the city but live (and pay taxes) elsewhere, and a sluggish housing market. Economically and programmatically, this situation calls for a plan that tempts the highly educated to live in the city, while also creating jobs. The Werfkwartier can play a role in this.

The Werfkwartier is a port area that borders directly on the centre, but that also has the back to the city. Transformation has already started, but a clear direction is still needed in order to make this area a vibrant place for living and working. With “Wieder, Wieder, Weiter”, De Zwarte Hond and DELVA have created a special urban development strategy for the redevelopment of the Werfkwartier.

With this strategy, the Werftkwartier becomes a special destination for existing and new residents of the city. A well-considered densification strategy of large building blocks with big communal inner courtyards and compact streets and squares creates a pleasant, lively city with a low density, with residential qualities that can compete with rural living in the region. Because here the best of the city, landscape and port are combined in a unique urban environment.

The four areas – Innovation Dock, Leisure Dock, Fishing Dock and the Dock Park – each have a different look and a versatile mix of functions, so that various housing requirements can be met.