River Clean-up Initiated by CDU for Hamburg Waterways
Hamburg Ponders River Bathing Amid Challenges
Hamburg, a city known for its waterways, is currently grappling with the possibility of establishing river bathing spots. The Elbe and Alster rivers, however, present unique challenges due to their tidal range, high shipping traffic, and water quality issues.
The CDU party in Hamburg's Parliament is advocating for a river swimming pool on the Elbe or Alster, aiming to make water accessible for swimming, not just viewing. The idea is inspired by successful river bathing projects in Scandinavian cities such as Copenhagen, Oslo, and Malmö, which have managed to integrate public river bathing despite similar natural and logistical challenges.
These cities employ advanced filtration systems and safety measures to maintain bathable water and facilitate safe swimming in urban waterways. However, Hamburg’s authorities currently do not consider its conditions fully comparable to these cities, due to the Elbe’s significant port use and tidal influence.
Anke Frieling, urban development spokeswoman for the CDU fraction, believes Hamburg's waters should be accessible for bathing, swimming, and enjoying. She criticizes the Senate for ignoring the fact that challenges related to financing, safety, hygiene, and water quality have been successfully addressed in other cities. Frieling warns that Hamburg is wasting its potential by not pursuing river baths.
The Hamburg Senate, on the other hand, highlights issues with water quality, tidal flow, and heavy port traffic, making open river swimming tricky. The Senate does not plan any new tests or feasibility studies for river baths, and the Senate's response to a written small request shows that a river bath remains a pipe dream in Hamburg. The Senate writes that the frequently insufficient water quality speaks against a corresponding use of the waters, and safety aspects also spoke against bathing in the Elbe, according to the environmental authority's examination.
Other European cities are reopening or establishing river bathing spots after improving water quality and safety. For example, Paris recently resumed Seine river swimming after pollution control measures. Efforts to create dedicated, filtered river swimming pools or areas could allow safe river bathing while mitigating risks from currents and traffic.
In the meantime, Hamburg offers recreational waterfront areas like Övelgönne beach on the Elbe bank, but these do not allow open water swimming due to existing constraints. Frieling points out that new high-rise buildings are being built in a harbor basin in Hafencity, yet a place to swim is not considered possible.
A parliamentary request titled "Urban development by the water - new perspectives for Hamburg's waterways" is currently testing the suitability of the waters for bathing sports. The authority responsible for urban development assesses that the integration of swimming possibilities in waters used for harbor purposes is not possible in Hamburg.
In conclusion, the main creative solution for river bathing in Hamburg under discussion is the creation of a river swimming pool with advanced filtration and safety features to overcome current water quality and safety challenges. This concept draws directly from the success of Scandinavian river bathing projects that have managed similar difficulties through technology and urban planning. The debate continues as Hamburg weighs the benefits and challenges of joining the ranks of cities offering river bathing experiences.
[1] Source: Senate Response to the Written Small Request on Urban Development by the Water - New Perspectives for Hamburg’s Waterways [3] Source: Hamburg Waterfront Areas: Recreational Opportunities and Challenges [5] Source: Seine River Swimming Resumes in Paris after Pollution Control Measures
- In response to the CDU's advocacy for river swimming pools in Hamburg, the Senate acknowledges challenges such as water quality, tidal flow, and heavy port traffic, but does not plan any new tests or feasibility studies for river baths.
- As Hamburg considers the feasibility of river bathing, it looks to Scandinavian cities like Copenhagen, Oslo, and Malmö, which have successfully integrated public river bathing despite similar challenges, as an inspiration for their own solution: a river swimming pool with advanced filtration and safety features.
