Though sometimes are distant and non-transferable to us, the examples that we can rescue from other destinations often serve as inspiration. One of the best examples to follow that can be found in Europe is Wilhelmsburg, a district of the city of Hamburg, Germany.

In this place the determination was made to develop a strategic plan that would bring together all the current needs and future in an inclusive way, with the participation and consensus of the citizenry. The starting point was the largest river island in Europe made up of docks, industry and 50,000 people. Based on this strategic plan, multiple projects of regeneration and conversion of degraded spaces were carried out to create an exemplary district.

With the project “< a href="http://www.iba-hamburg.de/en/nc/projects/cosmopolis.html">Cosmopolis“, demonstrated what it would be like to live in a multi-ethnic community and its possibilities for cooperation and synergies. The project ” Metrozones” for its part, focused on better connecting the workplace with the areas While the project “Cities and Climate Change” it was aimed at combining urban growth and sustainability. Another of the louder projects that were carried out was “Energy Bunker“. This anti-aircraft bunker was converted into a renewable energy plant supplied by different sources (solar, biogas, pellets, and waste incineration from a nearby industry) that feeds the heating and energy of the neighborhood.

For its part, the once a dumping ground for Toxic waste was covered with vegetation and wind turbines and solar panels were added that today provide electricity to 4,000 homes, also fulfilling the function of a recreational park. 44 passive buildings powered by biogas, a cogeneration plant and a photovoltaic system on the roof were also built.

Not only physical actions were applied for reduction CO2 emissions; rather, citizens were included in the reduction of energy consumption in their homes, explaining and clarifying opportunities for energy saving based on an Energy Atlas, the result of a previous project. In addition, bike lanes connected to public transport were also installed, increasing sustainable mobility in the northern region of the city.

Wilhelmsburg has been able to effectively combine different areas of sustainability, becoming an energetically neutral, regenerated and lively neighbourhood, with green surroundings, clean air and urban electric transport systems. Today progress continues in the urban development of the district with new projects despite having already become a guiding light for new city models.