Designs Presented for Outdoor Pool in Hamburg’s Outer Alster

(eap) Plans for a new public bathing area in Hamburg’s Outer Alster are taking shape. Hamburg’s First Mayor Dr Peter Tschentscher, Second Mayor and Senator for the Environment Katharina Fegebank, and Senator for Sport Andy Grote, together with municipal pool operator Bäderland Hamburg, presented an initial concept for a natural outdoor pool at the Schwanenwik site. A public outdoor pool modelled on Scandinavian examples could be created there.

At Alsterwiese Schwanenwik, one of the Hanseatic city’s most popular green spaces, a public bathing establishment had already opened in 1869. However, it was dismantled during the Second World War. The feasibility study now presented by the architectural firm Gerkan, Marg und Partner (gmp) envisages a 50-metre swimming pool with six lanes embedded in the Alster. Two separate children’s pools and permanently moored sauna boats are also planned. For bathing operations, the Alster water is to be treated using a biological filtration system. A combination of reed zones along the shore and additional filtration technology in the area of the jetties is intended to ensure water quality while also protecting natural and shoreline areas.

© gmp moka

“The gmp office has developed an interesting idea for a public bathing area on the Outer Alster. Initial assessments have shown that the design is compatible with the requirements of nature conservation and the other uses of the Outer Alster. This creates a realistic prospect of fulfilling the mandate of the Parliament and the wish of many citizens, and of reopening a historic location for a highly attractive public use. An outdoor pool on the Outer Alster suits Hamburg as an attractive city on the water and would further enhance the quality of life for Hamburg’s residents. I would like to thank the authorities and the gmp office very sincerely for their work and wish the project every success,” explained Tschentscher.

Susan Zetzmann, Managing Director of Bäderland Hamburg, added: “A new natural pool on the Alster can become a wonderful experience for all Hamburg residents – open, inviting and deliberately not a luxury temple. A new natural pool can become a great offer for Hamburg, one that integrates naturally and ecologically into its surroundings, preserves the open views of the Alster and consciously places nature at the centre. Our goal is to create a place for swimming, meeting and lingering – with a high-quality experience and, ideally, year-round offerings.”

In order to preserve the Schwanenwik meadow as a public meeting place, the bathing area is deliberately planned to be positioned discreetly within the landscape. A walkable hill in the north-eastern area is intended to create additional recreational quality and offer wide views over the Outer Alster. According to the current design plans, changing rooms, showers, sanitary facilities and a food and beverage offer are also planned in this area. The aim is to develop the site as an attractive destination not only during the bathing season, but throughout the year. Comparable offers can be found, for example, in the Danish capital Copenhagen or in Norway’s capital Oslo.

In the next step, the detailed and feasibility planning is to be further developed. This will include questions relating to water treatment, nature conservation, safety, operations and their financing, as well as the interests of other users of the Outer Alster. At the same time, Bäderland Hamburg and the responsible authorities are to examine further locations throughout the city in order to enable additional bathing areas. ■