Oberbillwerder is one of Hamburg's most ambitious urban development projects, creating the city's 105th district on a 118-hectare site in the Bergedorf borough. The masterplan, developed by ADEPT architects with Karres en Brands landscape architects following an international competition in 2019, envisions a mixed-use neighbourhood accommodating approximately 7,000 homes for around 15,000 residents alongside commercial spaces, schools, and community facilities.
The project is managed by IBA Hamburg GmbH in collaboration with the Hamburg Ministry of Urban Development and Housing. Designed around the concept of the 'Connected City,' the district integrates five distinct neighbourhoods linked by a central green corridor and an innovative mobility concept prioritising walking, cycling, and public transport over private car use. A new S-Bahn station will connect the area to central Hamburg.
Sustainability is a core principle, with climate-neutral energy supply, sponge-city water management, and extensive green and blue infrastructure planned throughout. The district aims to combine affordable housing with innovative building typologies, cooperative models, and social infrastructure, positioning it as a model for future-oriented urban development in northern Germany.