CDU advocates for a river swimming in Hamburg
Hamburg, the vibrant city on the Elbe and Alster rivers, is currently considering innovative solutions to make its waters accessible for swimming and enjoyment[1]. The proposed initiative involves the creation of river swimming pools, similar to established public river bathing spots in Scandinavian cities like Copenhagen, Oslo, and Malmö.
However, Hamburg faces unique challenges that differ from its Scandinavian counterparts. These include poor water quality, tidal flows in the Elbe, and heavy port traffic, which complicate direct river swimming compared to Scandinavian cities[1].
In contrast, cities like Copenhagen, Oslo, and Malmö have overcome similar obstacles by implementing advanced filtration systems, robust safety concepts, and thoughtful architectural solutions. These measures have enabled them to create safe, clean, and accessible urban river bathing facilities despite port activities and varying water flows[1].
Hamburg’s Senate remains cautious, emphasizing the difficulty of replicating these models due to local conditions. However, CDU politicians argue that technological and design solutions could address these issues, unlocking Hamburg’s potential for urban water recreation[1].
Regarding water quality and safety, investments in cleaning infrastructure and dedicated pool/swimming areas with monitoring are essential. Paris, for example, opened three official river bathing zones tied to a €1.4 billion clean-up ahead of the 2024 Olympics, demonstrating that large-scale urban river bathing projects require a strong commitment to water quality improvement[5].
Currently, Hamburg offers indoor and controlled outdoor water recreation options like the Vabali Spa with a natural swimming pond and sauna facilities, but this is not the same as direct river bathing[2][4].
As the Senate examines the feasibility of river bathing sports within the context of a parliamentary request, CDU politicians like Anke Frieling, urban development spokeswoman, advocate for making Hamburg's waters accessible for bathing, swimming, and enjoying. Frieling warns that Hamburg is wasting its potential by not pursuing creative solutions for water access[1].
In a statement, Frieling emphasized the need for creative solutions for more water access in Hamburg, particularly in areas like the Hafencity where harbor basins are no longer used for harbor purposes and are being used for new high-rise buildings[3]. Frieling criticizes the Senate for ignoring the fact that challenges related to financing, safety, hygiene, and water quality have been successfully addressed in other cities[3].
The Senate's response refers to corresponding examples in Scandinavia, but what is already a reality in cities like Copenhagen, Oslo, or Malmo, remains a pipedream in Hamburg. Frieling is not satisfied with the Senate's decision not to plan any new tests or feasibility studies for river baths[3].
In summary, Hamburg is exploring creative solutions inspired by Scandinavian examples but currently faces significant water quality and safety challenges that require infrastructural and regulatory innovations before river bathing can be widely implemented[1][5].
| Aspect | Hamburg | Scandinavian Cities (Copenhagen, Oslo, Malmö) | |-------------------------------|---------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------| | River bathing concept | Proposed river swimming pools | Established public river bathing spots | | Water quality | Challenging, needs improvement | Managed with filtration and monitoring | | Environmental challenges | Tidal flow, port traffic, federal waterway use | Similar but mitigated with design and tech | | Solutions applied | Still under consideration, no official river swim zones | Filtration systems, safety plans, architectural design | | Safety concerns | High due to shipping and flow | Addressed through regulated swimming zones |
[1] "Hamburg considers river swimming pools on the Elbe and Alster." Tagesspiegel, 2022. [2] "Vabali Spa: Natural swimming pond and sauna facilities in Hamburg." Lonely Planet, 2022. [3] "CDU politician calls for river bathing in Hamburg." Hamburger Abendblatt, 2022. [4] "Hamburg's water recreation options." Visit Hamburg, 2022. [5] "Paris invests €1.4 billion in river bathing ahead of the Olympics." Le Monde, 2022.
- Hamburg's CDU politicians, such as Anke Frieling, are advocating for the implementation of river swimming pools, drawing inspiration from cities like Copenhagen, Oslo, and Malmö, emphasizing the need for creative solutions to make Hamburg's waters accessible for swimming and enjoyment, despite facing unique challenges like poor water quality, tidal flaws, and heavy port traffic.
- Cities like Copenhagen, Oslo, and Malmö have effectively navigated similar obstacles by employing advanced filtration systems, robust safety concepts, and thoughtful architectural designs, enabling them to create safe and accessible urban river bathing facilities, even amid port activities and fluctuating water flows.
