On February 26, 2019, the Hamburg Senate adopted the master plan of Oberbillwerder, designed by the Danish-Dutch planning team ADEPT with Karres + Brands. The Funktionsplan and Gestaltungsleitfaden (Design manual) was approved in 2023 and the area is thus ready to move forward to completion over the next few years. Both Green Loop structure and mobility hubs are settled in individual competitions and are in detailed planning as ‘starters’ for the new area, Hamburgs 105^th.

Once completed, the DGNB Platinum pre-certified plan for Oberbillwerder will include almost 1.000.000 built m² in a mix of functions, activities and typologies. The development area is located at the edge between city and landscape, creating an attractive option to create ‘place’ by making nature an integrated part of the plan. It will stand as Germany’s most significant one-off development since Hafen City. The development strategy involves a heavy focus on social and environmental sustainability, including integrated climate adaptation as the conceptual backbone of the plan. Oberwillwerder will prioritize pedestrians, cyclists and public transport but smart mobility and infrastructure ensure rapid connections to Hamburg’s city center.

The plans for Oberbillwerder provide around 6,000 to 7,000 housing units on 118 hectares. In addition, 4,000 to 5,000 jobs, an educational and meeting centre, two primary schools, up to 14 daycare centres and once again so many social institutions.

The character of each neighbourhood is in essence defined by its climate adaption: wide canals, large green rain beds and narrow blue streams or concave street profiles and linear trenches.